Bulletin  No.  52.— (R«vised.) 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

•    DIVISION   OF   CHEMISTKir 


%/ 


EXPERIMENTS  WITH  SUGAR  BEETS  IN  1897. 


BY 


HARVEY    W.   WILEY, 

Chemist  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    riilXTlNc.    OFFICE. 
1899. 


LETTEE  OF  TKAISTSMITTAL. 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Division  of  Chemistry, 
Washington,  J).  C.,' January  25,  1899. 
Sir:  The  bulletin  herewith,  presented  as  Xo.  oli  of  the  Division  of 
Chemistry  comprises  the  portion  of  the  report  which  was  prepared  by 
the  Chemist  of  the  Department  for  the  Special  Ueport  on  the  Beet  Sugar 
Industry  of  the  United  States,  submitted  by  you  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States  and  by  him  transmitted  to  Congress,  and  published 
as  Document  No.  396  of  the  House  of  Representatives  at  the  second 
session  of  the  Fifty-fifth  Congress.  It  is  deemed  advisable  to  secure 
the  publication  of  this. part  of  the  report  as  a  bulletin  of  the  Chemical 
Division  in  order  to  preserve  the  continuity  of  the  reports  on  the  sugar 
industry  of  the  United  States  as  bulletins  of  that  division.  In  pre- 
senting this  revised  edition,  advantage  has  been  taken  of  the  opportu- 
nity to  correct  some  slight  errors  which  crept  into  the  first  issue.  No 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  text,  nor  in  the  illustrations  accompany- 
ing it,  from  the  document  mentioned  above. 

H.  W.  Wiley, 
Chief,  Division  of  Chemistry. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary. 

3 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
References  in  Annual  Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  to  matters 

relating  to  the  beet-sugar  industry 12 

List  of  bulletins  issued  by  the  Division  of  Chemistry  relating  in  whole  or  in 

part  to  sugar  beets 15 

Plan  of  investigations  for  1897 16 

Climatology 21 

Other  conditions 23 

Map  of  thermal  belt 23 

Changes  in  the  new  maps 24 

Triple  isothermal  lines , 21 

Beet  zone 25 

Annual  rainfall 25 

Study  of  particular  localities 27 

North  Carolina  and  West  Virginia 27 

Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland 27 

Delaware 28 

New  .J  ersey 28 

Connecticut ■ 29 

Massachusetts 29 

New  Hampshire  and  Vermont 29 

New  York 30 

Pennsylvania 31 

Ohio 31 

Michigan 32 

Indiana 32 

Illinois 32 

Wisconsin 32 

Minnesota 33 

Iowa :;:; 

North  and  South  Dakota 34 

Nebraska 35 

rhe  arid  regions :;r> 

Data  from  different  States 37 

Data  obtained  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture 10 

Cautions  regarding  the  value  of  data 11 

Study  of  the  analytical  data 56 

Arizona   56 

Report  by  B.  II.  Forbes,  chemist r»« ; 

Arkansas 60 

California  60 

Colorado 61 

Report  by  William  P.  lleadden,  chemist 63 

5 


6  CONTENTS. 

Study  of  the  analytical  data — Continued.  Page. 

Idaho 64 

Illinois 68 

Indiana 69 

Report  by  H.  A.  Huston  and  J.  M.  Barrett 70 

Iowa 72 

Kansas 74 

Kentucky   7tS 

Maryland „ 77 

Michigan 78 

Minnesota M 

Report  by  Barry  Snyder,  chemist 82 

Missouri 83 

Montana 85 

Nebraska 86 

Report  by  II.  H.  Nicholson 86 

Nevada 87 

New  Jersey 88 

Experiments  by  James  B.  Vredenbnrgh 89 

New  Mexico 90 

Report  by  ('.  T.  .Jordan,  special  agent 90 

New  York    :•:; 

Report  by  \Y.  s. Jordan,  director  of  experiment  station  at  Geneva.  ...  94 

Report  by  I.  1'.  Roberts,  director  of  experiment  station  at  Ithaca !•(> 

Elevations  of  region  of  New  York  suited  to  beet  culture 98 

North  Dakota 99 

North  ( larolina 99 

Ohio KH) 

Oklahoma 103 

Report  by  <i.  E.  Morrow,  director 103 

Oregon 103 

Report  by  G.W.Shaw KM 

Pennsyh  ania LOS 

Rhode  Island 110 

Son  th  Carolina 11" 

South  Dakota 110 

Texas  L12 

Tennessee L13 

Vermont i-'l 

Report  by  Joseph  L.  Hills,  director L25 

Virginia ill 

Report  by  William  I;.  A I  wood,  vice-director    ill 

Washington 115 

Report  by  kit  on  Fulmer,  chemist 116 

Wisconsin 1 1" 

Wyoming L28 

Influence  of  temperature  on  the  quality  of  sugar  beets 125 

Sngai  i>eeis  ,i>  cattle  i«>"<l 128 

!  beet  pulps  as  cattle  food 129 

Diffusion  pulps  or  exhausted  cosettes ISO 

Feeding  experiments  with  beet  pulp LSI 

Beef  cattle 131 

Oxen    LSI 

MM.  h  oows LSI 

Sheep 132 

I  rperiments  made  with  ewes 182 

i .   perimenttbj  andouard  and  Dezaunal   132 


CONTENTS.  7 

Page. 

Summary  of  data  collected  in  previous  years 134 

Notes  on  preceding  table 140 

Investigation  in  seed  production 141 

Tennessee 144 

Report  by  Charles  W.  Vanderford 145 

Kentucky 145 

Indiana  146 

Iowa 146 

Report  by  C.  F.  Curtiss 147 

Wisconsin 147 

Analyses  made  in  laboratory  of  Department  of  Agriculture 150 

New  York 155 

Data  of  each  variety 156 

Vilmorin's  La  Plus  Riche 156 

Vilmorin's  Improved  Schuyler  seed 156 

Vilmorin's  Improved 156 

Demesmay 1 157 

Vilmorin's  Improved  Elite,  grown  by  Dippe  Bros 157 

High  Grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebener 157 

Original  Kleinwanzlebener  (Holland) 157 

Kleinwanzlebener  Elite 157 

Classification  of  the  beets  of  all  varieties 158 

Preservation  of  mother  beets 158 

Growth  of  seed  from  mothers  above  described 158 

Necessity  of  seed  development 158 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/expehsOOwile 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PLATES. 

Page. 
Plate  1.  Map  showing  the  probable  areas  suited  to  beet  culture  in  the  United 

States 22 

2.  Map  showing  isothermal  lines  of  68°,  69°,  70°,  and  71°  F.  for  the 
months  of  .June,  July,  and  August,  and  mean  temperatures  for  the 
same  months  at  other  points  in  the  State  of  New  York  and  parts 
of  adjacent  States  on  the  east 24 

TEXT  FIGURES. 

FlG.  j..  Indicating  point  at  which  top  of  beet  should  be  cut  off 38 

2.  Plot  for  guidance  in  planting  sugar  beets 141 

9 


SPECIAL  REPORT  ON  THE  BEET-SUGAR  INDUSTRY  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


REPORT  OF  THE  CHEMIST. 

H.  W.  Wiley. 


LETTER   OF   SUBMITTAL. 

U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Division  of  Chemistry, 
Washington,  D.  C,  March  ,?,  1898. 
Sir:  I  submit  herewith  for  your  consideration  the  manuscript  containing  the  data 
of  recent  investigations  on  the  growth  of  sugar  beets  and  the  manufacture  of  sugar 
therefrom. 

Respectfully,  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chief  of  Division  of  Chemistry. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


PREFATORY   NOTE. 

The  investigations  conducted  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for 
many  years  in  the  study  of  sugar-producing  plants  and  methods  of 
manufacturing  sugar  in  the  United  States  were  suspended  by  order  of 
Secretary  Morton  in  1893.  In  resuming  the  study  of  this  subject  by 
order  of  Secretary  Wilson,  it  is  important  that  citations  to  the  work 
already  done  be  presented.  The  student  of  the  subject  will  be  able 
from  these  citations  to  have  a  general  idea  of  the  scope  of  the  work 
which  has  been  accomplished,  and  will  be  guided  in  further  research  by 
the  data  contained  in  the  brief  resume  which  will  be  appended.  It  is 
not  possible  in  such  a  list  of  citations  to  refer  to  the  work  which  has 
been  done  by  the  agricultural  experiment  stations  nor  by  private  indi- 
viduals. A  collection  of  the  titles  of  all  accessible  works  in  English 
relating  to  the  subject  of  the  sugar  beet  has  been  issued  by  the  library 
of  this  Department  as  the  library  bulletin  for  June.  1897,  entitled  Ref- 
erences to  the  Literature  on  the  Sugar  licet,  Exclusive  of  Works  in 

Foreign  Languages. 

n 


12  BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

In  the  resume  of  citations  given  below  are  first  noted  the  publica- 
tions which  have  been  made  in  the  annual  reports  of  the  Department 
of  Agriculture,  and  afterwards  a  list  of  the  special  bulletins  relating 
to  beet  sugar  will  be  found.  Many  important  papers  have  been  pub- 
lished in  the  annual  reports,  which  students  of  the  beet-sugar  industry 
might  wish  to  consult.  It  is  interesting  to  know  that  as  early  as  181)7 
Dr.  Antisill,  at  that  time  the  Chemist  of  the  Department,  pointed  out 
the  probability  that  an  area  or  belt  suited  to  the  culture  of  the  beet 
might  be  mapped  out.  He  gave  also  some  of  the  probable  data  which 
would  be  used  in  determining  the  limits  of  this  belt.  The  annual 
report  for  1868  contains  a  reference  to  the  fact  that  Henry  Clay  visited 
Europe  and  made  a  study  of  the  beet  sugar  industry  on  the  Continent, 
and  presented  the  results  of  his  studies  in  a  speech  delivered  in  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States.  Careful  search  of  the  records  has  not 
been  able  to  discover  this  report  in  print. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  many  of  the  agricultural  reports  are  entirely 
out  of  print,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  greater  part  of  the  bulletins 
which  have  been  issued  on  the  subject  of  beet  sugar.  It  will  therefore 
not  be  possible  for  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Documents  to  supply 
the  bulletins  which  are  marked  out  of  print  to  those  who  may  desire  to 
secure  them. 

Following  the  resume  of  the  work  already  done  is  given  an  account 
of  the  investigations  conducted  under  the  supervision  of  the  Chemical 
Division  of  this  Department  during  the  year  1897. 

REFERENCES  IN  ANNUAL  REPORTS  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRIC1   L- 
TUBE    TO   MATTERS    KKLAT1NO  TO  THE   STGA1MJEET   INDUSTRY. 

isti2.     536.     Relative  to  the  composition  of  beet  juice. 

L867.     32.     Reporl  of  Thomas  Antisell,  Chemist,  Department  of  Agriculture. 

Dr.  Antisell  indicates  the  following  as  the  probable  f'bee1  belt,"  based  on  tempera- 
ture condil  ions : 

"The  northern  limit  of  the  beel  culture  is  doubtful.    (  >n  the  plains  of  Russia  it  is 

gTOWU  where,  the  i-xx  heiinal  Line  is  LO   .      It'  this  would  hold  good  <>n  this  continent, 

there  is  no  port  ion  of  the  United  States  too  cold  for  its  cull  are.  This  vast  extent  of 
country  is  naturally  divided  into  two  regions,  \i/:  (1)  The  middle  division  of  the 
temperate  /one  <>f  the  United  States,  Lying  between  parallels  .">!•  and  43,  comprising 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
<>hi<>,  Indiana,  [llinois,  Iowa.  Nebraska,  southern  Idaho,  with  an  area  <>f  163,000 
Bquare  miles,  is  favorable  to  bee!  culture,  the  mean  annual  temperature  varying 
een  IT  and.".:;  I':  (2)  the  district  between  parallels  36  and:;.'  ,  embracing  the 
bord<  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  West  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Tenn< 

M      i.  with  Kansas,  Colorado,  Utah,  Nevada,  and  northern  California,  possessing 

an  area  of  675,000 square  miles  and  :i  mean  annual  temperature  of  68    to6fl    I'.,  is 

:il-o  i.i  \  orable  to  the  beet;  s«>  t  hat  :i  belt  of  c 1 1\  7    wide  iu  Latitude  and  with  an 

i    t'  m  of  L,  129,000  square  miles  is  open  t«>  this  industrial  ait." 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


13 


In  experiments  in  beet  culture  on  the  Department  grounds  the  maximum  percent- 
age of  sugar  in  the  juice  is  given  for  each  variety : 


Variety. 


White  Silesian: 

Red  top 

Green  top 

White  Magdeburg 

Improved  White  Imperial 
Beta  Imperialis: 

No.l 

Np.2 

Vilmorui's  Improved 

Castlenandry  Yellow 


"Number 

Per  cent 

of  tests. 

of 

sugar. 

12 

6.97 

10 

7.20 

12 

7.74 

11 

7.34 

12 

6.70 

12 

7.40 

12 

7.40 

12 

8.00 

1867.  48.     Methods  of  sugar  manufacture  in  Europe. 

1868.  158.     Report  of  Theodore  Gennert  to  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture.     A 
general  article  on  the  statistics  and  manufacture  of  beet  sugar. 

1868.     164.     Notes  on  the  manufacture  of  beet  sugar  in  Europe. 

In  1867  the  Department  sent  nine  varieties  of  seed  to  Chatsworth,  111.,  for  trial, 
with  the  following;  results  : 


Polarization. 

No.  1 11.90 

2 10.95 

3 12.59 

4 12.21 

5 11.57 

6 13.52 


No, 


Polarization. 

7 11.98 

8 13.67 

9 13.25 


Average 12.  40 


Mention  is  made  in  this  article  that  while  in  Europe  Henry  Clay  took  much  inter- 
est in  the  beet-sugar  industry  and  afterwards,  in  a  speech  in  Congress,  predicted 
great  results  from  the  introduction  of  the  industry  into  the  United  States. 
1869.     334.     A  review  of  the  manufacture  of  sugar  in  Europe. 

1869.  345.  A  letter  included  in  the  above  review.  It  reviews  the  manufacture  in 
Europe  ;md  mentions  trials  made  in  the  United  States.  The  first  attempt  to 
produce  beet  sugar  in  this  country,  mentioned  in  this  review,  was  by  John 
Vaughn  and  .James  Ronaldsou,  Philadelphia.  Seed  was  imported  and  beets 
were  grown,  but  no  factory  was  built. 

1870.  98.  Report  of  the  Chemist  on  Beet  Sugar.  He  states  that  the  returns  of  the 
growth  of  sugar  beets  in  this  country  have  not  yet  shown  an  approach  to  that 
amount  of  sugar  which  is  yielded  by  the  growth  of  France  and  northern 
Germany.  Beets  grown  at  Chatsworth,  111.,  from  seeds  supplied  by  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  contained  from  9.31  to  11.24  per  cent  of  sugar. 

1870.  215.  Progress  of  the  beet  sugar  industry  in  Europe.  A  brief  statistical 
article. 

1870.  210.  Largely  historical.  Three  establishments  were  in  operation — Chats- 
worth, 111.,  Alvarado,  Cal..  Sauk  County,  Wis.  Capacity  of  the  Chatsworth 
factory,  50  tons  of  beets  per  day. 

L872.     154.     Report  of   Ryland  T.   Brown,   Chemist,   United  states   Department  of 
Agriculture.     Following  are  some  of  the  chief  points  mentioned: 
The  experiments  of  David  L.  Child,  at  Northampton,  Mass..  1838,  are  probably  the 

earliest  recorded  in  this  country. 
The  factory  of  Bonesteel  and  Otto,  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  1S(!7,  had  a  capacity  of 

10  tons  of  beets  per  day ;  capital,  $12,000. 


14  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IX    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Analyses  of  beets  grown  on  the  experimental  farm  of  the  University  of  Virginia, 
1872,  viz : 


Variety. 


Weight. 


Sugar  in 
tin-  juice. 


White  Silenian. (French  seed) 

Carter's  Prize  Nursery  (English  seed). 
Vilmorin's  Improved  i  French  seed)  ... 
White  sugar  beet  (Philadelphia) 


Ounces, 
3*1 


/'</•  Cl'llt. 

11.75 
16"  13.72 

30J  12.  f>4 

33}  10. 17 


1872.  151.  April,  1872,  the  legislature  of  New  Jersey  passed  an  act,  operative  for 
ten  years,  exempting  beet-sugar  factories  from  taxation. 

L873.     L08.     A  brief  report  by  the  Statistician. 

The  two  California  factories  produced  an   estimated  total  of  750  tons  of  sugar 
during  L873. 

1873.  287.  Relative  to  the  capacity  and  product  of  the  Alvarado  factory.  Capacity. 
7,000  tons  of  beets  per  annum. 

is?.").     512.     A  resume  of  a  German  report  on  the  composition  of  sugar  beets. 

1876.  153.  statistics  of  the  production  of  sugar  in  various  countries.  Mention  is 
made  in  this  article  of  a  factory  at  Soquel,  Santa  Cruz  County,  Cal.  The 
State  Agricultural  Society  of  California  reported  in  1874  that  the  production 
of  beet  sugar  in  the  State  amounted  in  1870  to  500,000  pounds;  in  lsTl  to 
SOii.diiO  pounds;  in  1872  to  1,125,000  pounds,  and  in  1ST::  to  L,500,000  pounds. 

1876.  266.     statistics  of  the  yield  of  beet  sugar,  by  countries. 

1877.  243.     A  brief  statement  as  to  soils  suitable  for  beets. 
1877.     579.     German  statistics. 

L878.     117.     Analysis  of  a  sample  of  beet-root  sirup. 

1879.  67.  A  report  on  the  analysis  of  seven  sugar  beets  received  from  various  parts 
of  the  country.  The  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  juice  ranged  from  8.9  to  1  L3, 
the  latter  sample  being  from  Oswego,  \.  Y. 

187!*.     184.    General  sugar  statistics. 

9.  Report  of  the  Commissionei  of  Agriculture.  A  report  of  the  condition  of 
the  Maine  Bee!  Sugar  Company  and  a  statement  of  the  experiments  in  Delaware 
were  made.  Capacity  of  the  Maine  factory,  150  tons  per  day.  In  1877  the  stale 
slature  of  Delaware  appropriated  $300 as  premiums  to  farmers  for  crops  of 
BUgar  beets,  and  in  L878 $1,500  were  appropriated  for  the  same  purpose.  Imper 
feci  experiments  were  made  in  1878  by  the  Delaware  Bee1  Sugar  ( lompany.    The 

total  crop  amounted   to  350  tons  of  roots,  yielding  an  average  of  9  per  cent  of 

sugar.    A   new  factory  was  built  by  Colwell   Brothers,  of  New  York,  costing 

$30,000,  wit  h  a  capacity  of  60  tons  of  roots  per  day  of  twenty-four  hours.      The 

company  did  not  make  running  expenses,  but  the  experiment  was  encouraging. 

619.     A  Letter  from  E.  H.  Dyer  urging  a  bounty  law. 

1881.    675.    Statistics  of  sugar  production.    Statistics  of  domestic  sugar  arc  given 

in  brief.     Beet  sugar  was  made  successfully  for  three  successive  seasons  in 

California  in  one  factory.    The  Maine  factory,  which  was  in  operation  for 

three  BeaSOnB,  producing  in  one  year  1,200,000  pounds  and  in  another  1.0(10, ooo 

pounds  of  sugar,   was  obliged    to  suspend  operations  for  want  of  hcets.  which 

the  farmers  bhoughl  bhej  could  nol  grow  at  the  prices  offered,  namely,  $5  to  $6 

per  ton. 

22.     Report  of  II.  W.  Wiley  to  the  I  lommissioner  of  Agrionlture  on  the  North 
ern  sugar  industry  .in  1883.    This  is  an  abstract  of  data  given  in  Bulletin  No.3 

of  the   I  >i\  isioii  of  (    hem 

L884.    529.     Yield  of  beel  sugar  in  Russia. 

341.  analyses  of  sngai  beets  grown  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  Most, 
of  these  Bamples  contained  verj  little  sugar,  with  one  exception.  This  sample 
contained  L8.84  per  cent,  and  was  from  Menominee,  Mioh.  The  highest  per- 
centage of  sugar  in  the  ot he i  sample-  w  as  11  71 .     1  w  ent\  eight  tests  were  made. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  15 

1889.  140.     Cultivation  of  the  sugar  beet.     Report  of  the  Chemist. 

1890.  167.  Experiments  with  sugar  beets.  Abstract  of  a  report  published  in  full 
in  Bulletin  No.  27  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry. 

1891.  150.  Experiments  with  sugar  beets.  Abstract  of  a  report  published  in  full 
in  Bulletin  No.  30  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry. 

1891.  156.     Laws  relatiug  to  taxation  and  bounties  in  various  countries. 

1892.  128.  A  resume  of  experiments  with  sugar  beets.  Full  details  of  this  work 
are  published  in  Bulletin  No.  36  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry. 

1892.  467.     Statistics  of  beet-sugar  production  for  the  year  1892 : 

Pounds. 

Utah  Beet  Sugar  Company 1,  473,  500 

Alameda  Sugar  Company 2,  506,  860 

Western  Beet  Sugar  Company 11,  390,  921 

Chino  Valley  Beet  Sugar  Company 7,  903,  541 

Oxnard  Beet  Sugar  Company 2, 110,  100 

Norfolk  Beet  Sugar  Company 1,698,400 

Total 27,083.322 

In  1891  these  factories  produced  a  total  of  12,004,838  pounds. 

1893.  175.  Experiments  with  sugar  beets.  This  is  an  abstract  of  a  report  published 
in  full  in  Bulletin  No.  39  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry. 

1893.     184.     Growth  of  beets  at  different  altitudes. 

LIST     OF      BULLETINS      ISSUED     BY     THE     DIVISION     OF     CHEMISTRY 
RELATING  IN   WHOLE   OR   IN   PART   TO   SUGAR   BEETS. 

Bulletin  No.  3,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  Northern 
Sugar  Industry;  edited  by  H.W.Wiley,  1884;  pp.  118  (out  of  print).  Pages 
24  to  29  of  this  report  relate  to  the  beet  sugar  industry. 

Bulletin  No.  5,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  Sugar  Indus- 
try of  the  United  States;  edited  by  H.  W.  Wiley,  1885;  pp.  224  (out  of  print). 

Part  second  of  this  report,  including  pp.  73  to  136,  inclusive,  12  plates,  relates  to  the 
beet-sugar  industry. 

Bulletin  No.  27,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  Sugar  Indus- 
try :  Culture  of  the  Sugar  Beet,  and  Manufacture  of  Beet  Sugar:  edited  by 
H.  W.  Wiley,  1890;  pp.  262  (out  of  print). 

Bulletin  No.  30,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  Experiments 
with  Sugar  Beets  in  1890;  edited  by  II.  W.  Wiley,  1891;  pp.  93  (out  of  print). 

Bulletin  No.  33,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  Experiments 
with  Sugar  Beets  in  1891;  edited  by  H.  W.  Wiley,  1892;  pp.  158  (out  of  print). 

Bulletin  No.  36,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  Experiments 
with  Sugar  Beets  in  1892;  edited  by  H.  W.  Wiley,  1893;  pp.  74  (out  of  print). 

Bulletin  Xo.  39,  Division  of  Chemistry,  Department  of  Agriculture.  Experiments 
with  Sugar  Beets  in  1893;  by  Harvey  W.  Wiley,  with  the  collaboration  of 
Walter  Maxwell,  1894 ;  pp.  59. 

MISCELLANEOUS   BULLETINS  AND   REPORT. 

Special  Report  No.  28,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  Report  on  the 
Culture  of  the  Sugar  Beet  and  the  Manufacture  of  Sugar  Therefrom,  in  France 
and  the  United  States;  by  Wm.  McMurtrie,  1880;  pp.  294  (out  of  print). 

Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  3,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  Culture  of  the 
Sugar  Beet;  by  II.  \Y.  Wiley,  1891;  pp.  24  (out  of  print). 

Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  52,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  Sugar 
Beet:  Culture,  Seed  Development,  Manufacture,  and  Statistics;  by  11.  \V. 
Wiley,  1897;  pp.  48. 


16  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

PLAN  OF  THE  INVESTIGATIONS  FOR  1897. 

On  the  1 1th  day  of  January,  1897,  the  following  letter  was  addressed 
to  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture: 

BlK:  Numerous  inquiries  for  sugar-beet  seed  have  come  to  this  division  instead  of 
to  the  seed  division,  and  I  am  unable  to  give  any  definite  answer  to  our  correspond 
cuts  in  respect  of  the  policy  of  the  Department  regarding  the  distribution  of  the 
seeds  in  question.  I  would  be  glad  to  know  it  it  would  be  possible  for  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  to  provide  a  few  thousand  packages  of  high-grade  beet  seed 
which  could  be  distributed  to  inquiring  fanners.  There  is  a  widespread  interest  iu 
this  country  in  the  sugar-beet  industry,  and  it  appears  to  me  that  a  part  of  the 
money  voted  by  Congress  for  the  distribution  of  seeds  could  be  very  profitably  used 
in  supplying  experimenters  with  the  best  quality  of  sugar-beet  seed.  Farmers  can 
not  be  certain  in  buying  beet  seeds  from  dealers  that  they  are  getting  anything 
more  than  the  ordinary  quality  of  garden  seeds.  The  guaranty  of  the  Department, 
however,  that  they  are  securing  high-grade  sugar-beet  seeds  would  be  of  great 
advantage. 

I  am  now  engaged  in  a  revision  of  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  3,  to  be  used  in  supplying 
the  information  which  is  so  largely  asked  lor  respecting  the  culture  of  the  sugar 
beet  and  the  manufacture  of  sugar  therefrom.  It  would  be  of  interest  to  make  a 
statement  in  this  bulletin  in  regard  to  the  possibility  of  securing  the  seeds  from  the 
Department.  An  early  reply  to  this  inquiry  will  be  appreciated. 
I  am.  respectfully, 

H.  W.  Wiley,  Chief  of  Division. 

The  honorable  the    <n   RETARY    OF    AGRICULTURE. 

Iii  reply  to  tliis  request,  in  the  following"  letter  the  information  was 
conveyed  that  no  funds  were  available  for  the  purchase  of  beet  seeds: 

United  States  Department  ok  Agriculture, 

Office  op  the  Assistant  Secretary, 
Washington,  J).  C,  January  tS,  t& 
Deaf.  Sir:  The  Secretary  has  handed  me  your  letter  of  the  11th  instant,  calling  his 

at  tent  ion  to  the  advisability  of  distributing  some  sugar-beet  seed  in  connect  ion  u  it  h 
the  present  Congressional  seed  distribution. 

If  this  matter  had  been  mentioned  in  time  it  would  have  been  possible  to  purchase 
a  supply  of  beet  seed.    As  it  is  now,  however,  the  whole  appropriation  for  the  pur- 
chase of  seed  is  exhausted.     There  is  not  a  dollar  left  with  which  sngar-beel  seed 
could  be  purchased,     [f  you  will  bring  the  matter  up  early  next  June  it  will  be 
»le  to  include  sugar-beet  Beed  in  the  distribution  of  the  following  year. 
Verj  1 1  uly.  yours, 

('has.  \Y.  Dabney,  Jr.,  Assistant  Secretary. 
Dr.  II.  w.  Wiley,  Chemist. 

All  farther  attempts  to  reestablish  the  investigations  Looking  to  the 
introduction  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in  the  United  Slates,  which 
had  been  suspended  during  four  years,  were  therefore  deferred  to  await 
the  action  of  Hie  new    Administ  ra  I  ion. 

[mtnediately  after  Secretary  Wilson  assumed  the  duties  of  his  office, 
arrangements  were  made  lor  a  renewal  of  the  investigations,  but  that 
dale  was  entirely  too  late  to  purchase  seeds  directly  from  the  growers 
in  Europe;  therefore  arrangements  were  made  with  theOxnard  Bee1 
Sugar  Company,  which  kindly  offered  to  donate  the  quantity  of  seed 
required  for  the  purpose.     As  rapidly  as  possible  the  seeds  were  sent 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  17 

to  different  parties  in  the  United  States  interested  in  the  subject, 
special  attention  being  given  to  distributing  the  seed  in  those  localities 
where  the  theoretical  conditions  for  the  production  of  sugar  were  the 
best.  Packages  were  sent  directly  to  the  addresses  of  parties  iD  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country,  and  large  quantities  of  seed  were  distrib- 
uted through  the  media  of  agricultural  experiment  stations,  boards  of 
trade,  business  men's  associations,  and  others  interested  particularly 
in  the  culture.  It  is  impossible,  therefore,  to  determine  the  number  of 
persons  who  were  actively  engaged  in  the  work  during  the  year. 

In  so  far  as  possible  the  cooperation  of  the  agricultural  experiment 
stations  was  secured,  it  being  deemed  advisable  to  conduct  the  experi- 
ments in  each  State  under  the  direct  auspices  of  the  State  authorities. 
It  was  only  when  such  cooperation  could  not  be  secured  or  where 
preference  was  shown  for  direct  communication  with  the  Department 
of  Agriculture,  and  in  miscellaneous  cases,  that  the  experiments  were 
conducted  directly  under  the  auspices  of  the  Department.  Copies  of 
Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  52,  containing  directions  for  planting  and  culti- 
vating the  crop,  were  sent  to  every  person  directly  interested  in  the 
experiments,  as  well  as  to  many  others. 

The  promiscuous  method  of  investigation  which  has  been  practiced 
during  this  and  preceding  years  is  faulty  and  unsatisfactory.  In  former 
reports  the  objections  to  such  investigations  have  been  outlined.  In 
Bulletin  No.  27  of  this  division  (on  pages  6,  7,  and  8)  is  found  a  number 
of  statements  relating  to  the  general  conduct  of  experimental  work, 
which  are  still  pertinent.  Inasmuch  as  this  bulletin  is  out  of  print,  it 
will  be  found  of  interest  to  repeat  these  statements  here: 

It  must  be  understood  that  the  object  of  this  bulletin  is  not  to  give  a  complete 
treatise  upon  the  culture  of  the  sugar  beet  and  the  manufacture  of  sugar  therefrom, 
but  simply  to  indicate,  for  the  information  of  those  interested,  the  general  principles 
of  this  industry.  One  especial  object  which  will  be  kept  in  view  is  to  prevent  those 
intending  to  engage  in  this  industry  from  going  wrong  in  the  beginning  and  squan- 
dering their  money  and  time  in  battling  with  problems  which  science  has  already 
met  and  overcome.  It  is  further  hoped  that  the  careful  study  of  the  data  presented 
will  prevent  any  mistakes  from  being  made  which  would  end  in  financial  disaster 
and  which  are  so  apt  to  attend  the  early  history  of  every  industry. 

There  will  probably  be  found  for  many  years  to  come  in  the  United  States  more 
enthusiasm  than  knowledge  connected  with  the  sugar  beet,  and  the  result  of  this 
will  be,  unless  great  care  is  taken,  that  many  ventures  will  be  made  which  may 
result  in  financial  disaster,  disaster  which  could  have  been  avoided  by  a  thorough 
comprehension  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  industry. 

In  so  far  as  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  the  matured  beet  is  concerned,  we  are 
able  to  start  at  the  present  time  with  the  accumulated  knowledge  and  experience  of 
three-quarters  of  a  century  of  investigation.  So  perfect  have  the  processes  of  manu- 
facture become  that  nearly  all  of  the  sugar  which  is  stored  in  the  beet  can  be 
secured  in  merchantable  form  and  by  comparatively  inexpensive  methods.  By  the 
term  inexpensive,  however,  it  must  be  understood  ihit  the  actual  processes  of  manu- 
facture are  denoted  and  not  the  cost  of  the  machinery.  The  various  processes  for 
the  extraction  of  the  sugar  from  the  beet,  the  best  methods  of  clarifying  the  juice 
and  of  evaporating  it  and  for  separating  the  sugar  from  the  molasses,  are  thoroughly 

H.  Doc.  396 2 


18  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

■well  understood  and  are  no  longer  legitimate  subjects  for  public  experiment.  The 
great  problem  in  this  country  is  the  agricultural  one.  The  selection  of  suitable  soil, 
the  rinding  of  the  proper  climatic  conditions,  and  instruction  in  the  method  of  plant- 
ing, cultivating,  and  harvesting  the  beets,  arc  all  matters  of  vital  importance.  With- 
out a  careful  study  of  these  subjects,  and  without  the  propel  knowledge  thereof,  it 
is  a  hopeless  task  to  attempt  to  introduce  successfully  the  beet-sugar  industry  into 
this  country. 

One  of  the  meat  dangers  to  be  avoided  is  the  formation  of  hasty  conclusions  in 
regard  to  the  proper  localities  for  the  production  of  the  sugar  beet.  Often  without 
any  study  whatever  of  the  climatic  conditions  or  of  the  character  of  the  soil,  efforts 
are  made  to  build  large  and  expensive  factories,  which  as  often  have  to  be  abandoned 
on  account  of  having  been  wrongly  located.  The  studies  which  have  been  made 
heretofore  in  regard  to  climatic  conditions  have  been  of  such  a  nature  as  to  locate, 
in  a  general  way,  the  areas  in  the  United  States  suitable  for  the  culture  of  the 
sugar  beet. 

It  has  been  found  in  general  that  the  coast  valleys  of  California,  and  probably 
large  areas  in  Oregon  and  Washington,  certain  parts  of  the  Dakotas  and  Nebraska, 
localities  in  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  and  Michigan,  parts  of  northern  Illinois, 
Indiana.  Ohio,  and  New  York  present  favorable  conditions  for  sugar-beet  culture; 
but  in  the  regions  thus  broadly  intimated  there  are  certain  restricted  areas  most 
suitable  to  the  sugar  beet,  and  it  is  only  these  restricted  areas  to  which  we  must 
look  for  success.  The  fact  that  in  one  locality,  for  instance  in  Nebraska,  good  sugar 
beets  can  be  produced  would  be  no  warrant  whatever  for  assuming  that  all  parts  of 
that  State  were  equally  suitable  for  this  purpose,  and  this  remark  may  be  applied 
to  every  one  of  the  States  mentioned  above. 

Sugar  beets  have  also  been  raised  in  other  sections  in  the  United  States,  notably 
in  New  England,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  and  Kansas,  and  while  there  may  be  areas 
in  the  New  England  States  where  beets  can  be  successfully  grown,  it  must  be 
admitted  that  the  States  last  named  stand  in  the  second  rank  of  beet-sugar  produc- 
ing localities.  In  Kansas,  during  the  last  year,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  body  of  this 
report,  sugar  beets  were  grown  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  sugar  manufactured 
therefrom.  This,  however,  does  not  show  that  Kansas  will  be  aide  to  compete  with 
more  favorable  States  in  the  production  of  beet  sugar. 

In  general,  it  may  be  Baid  that  the  Bummers  in  Kansas  .ire  too  hot  to  expect  the 
product  ion  of  a  sugar  beet  uniform  in  its  nature  and  containing  a  high  percentage  of 
sugar. 

If  the  sugar-beet  industry  is  to  succeed  in  this  country,  the  success  must  conic 
from  sharp  competition  with  tin-  same  industry  in  older  countries,  where  its  condi- 
tions are  better  understood  and  where  the   localities   suited   to  it  have  been  Selected 

by  long  and  often  costlj  experience.  It  must  also  compete  with  the  sugar-cane 
Industry,  both  of  this  counl n  and  of  tropical  countries,  and  for  this  reason  w  e  can 
only  expect  it  to  survive  in  those  regions  where  soil  and  climatic  conditions,  prox- 
imity to  fuel,  cheapness  of  labor,  and  other  favorable  environments  are  found. 

It  La  to  be  hoped  thai  the  mistakes  which  have  bo  long  threatened  the  Borghnm- 
sugar  industry  with  destruction  may  be  avoided  with  the  sugar  beel  Calm  judg- 
ment and  sober  reason  must  not  give  way  to  enthusiasm  and  extravagant  expecta- 
tions.    All  conditions  of  success  must  be  carefully  Btudied,  .ill  the  difficulties  in  the 

way  of  Buccess  oiusl  be  intimately  investigated  and  sur unted, and  ample  capital, 

couphd  with  judicious  perseverance,  musl  be  enlisted  in  i  t  ->  behalf. 

For  the  proper  erection  and  completion  of  a  beet-sngar  factory  not  less  than  twelve 
months  should  in-  allowed,  and  even  in  this  time  it  can  only  be  properly  accomplished 
under  experienced  technical  control. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  19 

In  Bulletin  Xo.  30  (on  page  7)  the  following  observations  are  found: 

Only  in  a  few  instances  were  the  directions  of  the  Department  followed  out  to  the 
letter.  In  most  cases  the  jilanting  and  cultivation  of  the  beet  seed  were  conducted 
according  to  such  methods  as  the  agriculturist  might  hit  upon  at  the  time.  From 
the  information  gathered  it  was  found  that  the  chief  variation  from  the  instructions 
was  in  the  preparation  of  the  soil.  In  very  few  cases  was  a  subsoil  plow  used  and 
most  of  the  beets  which  were  sent  to  the  Department  were  evidently  grown  in  soil 
of  insufficient  depth.  In  some  cases,  where  the  exact  directions  for  cultivation  were 
carried  out,  the  character  of  the  beets  received  showed  by  contrast  with  the  others 
the  absolute  necessity  of  employing  the  best  methods  of  agriculture  for  their  pro- 
duction. 

In  Bulletin  Xo.  33  (on  page  9)  the  following  statement  is  made: 

One  of  the  most  striking  features  in  regard  to  this  method  of  conducting  experi- 
mental work  is  found  in  the  fact  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  secure  compliance  with 
directions.  It  is  evident,  at  once,  that  the  value  of  experimental  work  depends  upon 
the  care  with  whieh  it  is  done  and  the  accuracy  with  which  the  directions  prescribed 
are  followed.  It  is  n  >t  to  be  wondered  at  that  farmers,  busy  with  their  other  occu- 
pations, failed  to  comply  with  the  minute  directions  necessary  to  secure  the  greatest 
advantage  in  experimental  work. 

Very  few  of  the  blanks  were  returned  properly  filled  out.  In  many  cases  the  data 
which  were  returned  were  palpably  erroneous.  In  one  instance  a  yield  of  99  tons  per 
acre  was  reported,  and  in  a  great  many  cases  the  reported  yield  per  acre  was  so  great 
as  to  show  inaccuracy  on  the  part  of  the  measurement  of  the  land  or  the  weighing  of 
the  beets.  In  making  out  returns  for  such  reported  phenomenal  yields  the  theoretical 
quantity  of  sugar  per  acre  given  was  always  questioned.  We  are  accustomed  to  look 
with  suspicion  upon  any  yield  of  sugar  beets  which  exceeds  25  tons  per  acre.  While 
it  is  not  impossible  to  secure  a  higher  yield  than  this,  and  of  beets  of  good  saccharine 
quality,  yet  it  is  so  rare  as  to  throw  doubt  upon  miscellaneous  data  showing  an 
excess  of  that  yield. 

Another  point,  which  makes  the  returns  obtained  less  valuable,  is  found  in  the  fact 
of  the  length  of  time  which  necessarily  elapsed  between  the  harvesting  of  the  beets 
and  their  reception  at  the  laboratory.  Nearly  all  the  samples  received  were  from 
distant  States,  requiring  for  packages  of  this  kind  from  three  to  eight  days  in  the 
mails.  Although  the  beets  were  in  most  cases  well  wrapped,  according  to  directions, 
our  experiments  have  shown  that  they  must  have  lost  a  considerable  quantity  of  mois- 
ture by  evaporation  during  their  long  transit.  The  data,  therefore,  showing  the  con- 
tent of  sugar  in  the  juice  would  be  uniformly  too  high  for  normal  beets.  It  is  estimated 
that  not  less  than  10  per  cent  should  be  subtracted  from  the  number  for  sugar  to 
express  the  normal  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  \)LH>t*  as  originally  harvested. 

In  Bulletin  No.  3G  (on  page  28)  the  ideas  outlined  above  are  some- 
what expanded  in  the  following  words: 

Before  proceeding  to  discuss  the  data  in  the  preceding  tables,  attention  should  be 
called  to  the  fact  that  in  previous  reports  of  this  kind  some  dissatisfaction  has  been 
expressed  in  some  States  on  account  of  the  poor  showing  of  the  samples  therefrom. 
In  former  reports  attention  has  been  particularly  called  to  the  probability  that  the 
•  lata  obtained  by  this  method  of  experimentation  are  not  wholly  reliable  and  in  all 
oases  do  not  truly  represent  the  capabilities  of  any  locality  for  beet- sugar  production. 
It  is  true  that  a  large  number  of  data  received  from  a  given  State  will  indicate,  in  a 
general  way,  whether  or  not  that  State  is  capable  of  producing  a  good  sugar  beet, 
but  where  the  number  of  data  is  limited,  it  may  be  that  the  agricultural  conditions 
under  which  the  samples  were  produced  were  so  poor,  or  the  season  BO  exceptional, 
as  to  prevent  a  fair  judgment  of  the  capabilities  of  the  soil  and  climate.     On  the 


20  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

other  hand,  the  col  tare  which  the  samples  received  may  have  been  so  careful  and 
the  seasonal  conditions  so  favorable  as  to  produce  a  beet  far  above  the  average 
which  could  be  produced  in  the  whole  State. 

Again,  the  loss  of  moisture  during  transportation,  or  the  failure  of  the  farmers  to 
send  tbeir  beets  in  as  soon  as  harvested,  may  tend  to  reduce  the  amount  of  water 
present  in  the  beet  and  to  raise  correspondingly  the  quantity  of  sugar  therein.  Inas- 
much as  the  analyses  are  made  on  the  expressed  juice,  this  would  tend  to  show 
always  an  increased  amount  of  sugar  over  that  present  naturally  in  the  beets. 

All  these  disturbing  influences  must  be  taken  into  consideration  in  judging  the 
data  which  have  been  recorded.  This  lias  been  said  in  general  explanation  so  as  to 
forestall  any  criticisms  which  may  be  made  of  the  value  of  the  data  obtained. 

To  illustrate  more  particularly  what  is  meant,  attention  is  called  to  the  instance, 
say,  of  Colorado  and  Montana.  From  the  State  of  Colorado  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  samples  were  received  for  analysis,  and  from  the  State  of  Montana  only  one 
sample.  Any  comparison,  therefore,  between  the  average  results  of  the  two  States 
would  be  simply  absurd.  While  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  samples  from  Colo- 
rado, showing,  a>  they  do.  fine  possibilities  of  sugar-beet  culture,  indicate  that  the 
State  of  Colorado  is  capable  of  producing  beets  of  high  quality,  the  single  sample 
from  Montana,  whether  it  proved  exceptionally  poor  or  exceptionally  fine,  could 
ha\  e  been  no  criterion  by  whicii  the  capabilities  of  the  State  for  beet  sugar  could  he 
judged. 

In  connection  with  the  tentative  results  which  have  been  obtained  by  this  kind  of 
work  should  be  considered  the  characteristics  of  the  soil  and  climate  of  each  locality, 
and  by  putting  the  two  together  a  fairly  good  idea  can  be  formed  of  t  lie  possibilities 
of  beet-sugar  production.  The  reader  should  carefully  bear  the  above  explanation 
in  mind,  both  in  looking  over  the  data  in  the  tables  and  in  reading  the  remarks 
thereon  which  follow. 

Iii  Bulletin  No.  39  (on  page  8)  in  commenting  on  the  results  of  the 
year's  work,  the  following  statements  are  made: 

The  general  results  of  the  work  this  year  are  somewhat  discouraging  as  com- 
pared with  previous  years.  Throughout  a  -re.it  part  of  the  beet -growing  region  the 
summer  was  excessively  dry,  and  large  numbers  of  total  failures  were  reported. 

In  former  reports  attention  has  been  called  to  the  Pact  that  the  present  method  of 

experiment    is   unsat  isfact  ory,  and    the    reasons   therefor   have    been    fully  set   forth. 

The  farmers  are  so  busy  with  other  work  that,  as  a  rule,  they  are  not  able  to  give 
careful  at  tent  ion  to  the  experimental  details.  They  do  not  have  the  time  to  suitably 
prepare  the  soil  for  beet  culture,  nor  do  they  give  the  growing  beet  proper  attention. 

When  the  time   for  harvesting  comes  they  are  usually  engaged   in  other  farm  work, 

so  that  the  beets  are  not  harvested  at  the  right  time,  nor  are  data  obtained   by 

means  of  which    any  accurate  estimate  of    the    yield    per  acre  can    he  determined. 

The  analytical  data,  therefore,  of  such  work  are  usually  fragmentary  and  far  from 
leaching  any  definite  lesson  in  regard  to  the  industry  itself,     in  general,  howevei 
i  he  (lata  hear  out  those  of  p re \  ions  years  in  showing  the  areas  in  this  count  ry  where 
the  besl  beets  can  be  grown.     It  Is  in  these  regions  that  the  development  of  the 
industry  must  be  expeoted. 

There  is  probably  not  a  state  or  Territory  in  ihe  Union  which  is  not  oapableof 
growing  a  fair  article  of  sugar  beets.  Even  in  the  far  South  beets  of  fair  sugar  con- 
tent have  hem  produced,  and  with  good  tonnage;  but  \\  hen  the  competition  of  tins 
world  1b  to  be  met,  with  the  price  of  sugar  as  Low  as  it  is  now,  onlj  those  parts  of 
the  country  where  the  soil  and  climate  are  especially  favorable  can  be  expeoted  to 
compete  successfully  with  the  beet  Bugarindusl  ry  already  firmly  established  in  older 
countries.  The  sole  valuable  lesson,  therefore,  of  the  promiscuous  distribution  of 
.  ed  is  in  the  fact  that,  as  a  rule  i  hose  regions  best  suited  to  the  growth  of  the 
sugar  heei  will  gradually  be  outlined,  and  Intending  Investors  led  to  the  proper 
localities  for  the  establishment  of  factories. 


BEET-STJGAR   INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  21 

The  great  success  of  the  beet-sugar  industry  on  the  Pacific  coast  leads  to  the  con- 
clusion that  if  the  northern  part  of  the  eastern  and  central  portions  of  our  country 
is  to  become  the  seat  of  a  great  sugar  industry,  every  possible  advantage  must  be 
taken  of  soil  and  location,  in  order  to  compete  successfully  with  the  beet  fields  of 
California,  Washington,  and  Oregon. 

The  experience  of  the  past  season,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  data  in 
the  following  pages,  has  served  only  to  give  additional  point  to  the 
observations  made  in  previous  bulletins. 

The  sugar-beet  industry  in  this  country  has  now  reached  a  point 
where  it  is  incumbent  upon  the  National  Government  to  secure  a  com- 
plete and  accurate  agricultural  survey  of  the  country  in  respect  of 
growing  beets.  The  competition  in  sugar  making  is  now  so  keen  that 
only  those  localities  where  natural  conditions  are  best  will,  in  the  end, 
be  found  sustaining  the  industry.  If  we  depend  upon  costly  experi- 
ment to  delimit  these  localities,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  will 
be  wasted  in  the  attempt.  At  a  comparatively  small  expense,  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  will  be  able  to  have  made  careful  and 
accurate  surveys,  based  upon  experimental  data,  to  point  out  the  regions 
where  the  sugar  industry  is  most  likely  to  succeed.  This,  however, 
can  not  be  done  by  the  promiscuous  kind  of  experimentation  which  the 
Department  has  been  compelled  heretofore  to  pursue.  Up  to  this  time 
a  sufficient  scientific  interest  in  the  matter  has  not  been  aroused  among 
the  people  to  secure  the  kind  of  a  survey  which  is  necessary.  Now, 
however,  the  conditions  have  changed.  The  agricultural  experiment 
stations  in  most  of  the  States  are  thoroughly  aroused  in  this  matter. 
They  are  willing,  with  the  cooperation  of  the  Department,  to  undertake 
an  agricultural  survey  of  their  respective  localities.  In  addition  to 
this,  intelligent  men,  either  in  their  capacity  of  private  citizens  or  as 
representatives  of  boards  of  trade,  or  of  business  men's  associations, 
are  ready  to  supervise,  in  limited  districts,  series  of  experiments 
which  will  give  satisfactory  answers  to  the  questions  which  must  be 
answered  before  the  sugar-beet  industry  is  fully  established.  It  will 
therefore  be  the  object  of  the  Department  in  subsequent  work,  espe- 
cially that  of  1898,  to  secure  in  each  locality  interested  in  the  matter,  a 
few  carefully  conducted  experiments.  To  this  end  it  is  urged  that  the 
experiment  stations  in  the  various  States  arrange  with  25,  50,  100,  or 
more  representative  farmers,  who  can  be  relied  upon  to  do  good  work, 
to  grow  plats  of  beets  in  size  of  not  less  than  half  an  acre. 

CLIMATOLOGY. 

It  is  evident  that  one  of  the  first  things  to  be  considered,  after  the 
soil  itself,  in  connection  with  the  sugar  beet  industry  is  the  climate. 
The  sugar  beet  is  a  plant  very  susceptible  to  climatic  conditions.  At 
the  beginning  of  its  growth  the  beet  plant  is  peculiarly  helpless.  It 
can  not  lift,  in  passing  from  the  germ  to  the  new  plant,  the  lightest 
clod.  A  rain  which  packs  the  surface  of  the  soil  immediately  after 
germination  will  sometimes  prevent  the  plant  from  reaching  the  light. 


22  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

After  the  plant  is  established  it  requires  a  considerable  quantity  of 
water  for  its  proper  growth;  this  water  must  be  supplied  either  by  the 
rainfall  of  the  locality,  by  irrigation,  or  by  the  subsoil.  High  tempera- 
tures extending  over  long  periods  of  time  are  peculiarly  injurious  to  the 
storing  of  sugar  in  the  tuber.  While  high  temperatures  may  not  dimin- 
ish the  tonnage  yielded  by  a  field,  nor  apparently  produce  any  injuri- 
ous effects,  in  so  far  as  the  external  appearance  of  the  mature  plant  is 
concerned,  it  will  be  found,  as  a  rule,  that  plants  grown  under  such  condi- 
tions of  temperature  are  less  rich  in  sugar  than  others  grown  in  a  milder 
climate.  Since  the  production  of  sugar  in  the  leaf  of  a  plant  is  a  joint 
function  of  the  chlorophyll  cells  and  sunlight,  it  is  found  that  the  high 
northern  latitudes,  where  the  summer  days  are  exceptionally  long  and 
the  nights  correspondingly  short,  tend  to  produce,  other  conditions 
being  the  same,  a  beet  rich  in  sugar.  The  climatic  conditions  of  this 
country  are  so  different  from  those  of  Europe  as  to  render  of  little  value 
the  general  conclusions  which  experience  has  drawn  from  the  effect  of 
climate,  in  the  beet-sugar  producing  countries  of  Europe,  on  the  sugar 
content  of  the  beet  itself.  Nevertheless,  it  is  seen  that  in  Europe  the 
great  centers  of  the  beet-sugar  industry  are  in  regions  far  to  the  north, 
in  fact,  so  far  north  as  to  make  it  impracticable  ever  t<>  expect,  in  this 
country,  to  establish  the  centers  of  the  industry  on  the  same  parallels 
of  latitude.  When  it  is  considered  for  a  moment  that  the  great  capi- 
tals of  Europe — St.  Petersburg.  London,  and  Berlin — are  situated  1,460, 
<S70.  and  940  miles,  respectively,  north  of  Washington,  and  yet  in  pros 
perous  agricultural  communities  the  above  statement  docs  not  create 
surprise.  The  vicissitudes  of  climatic  conditions  in  northern  Europe  are 
also  less  marked  than  they  are  in  the  United  States.  Throughout 
the  beet  growing  area  of  Europe  it  is  expected  that  the  summers  will 
be  mild.  They  are  not  attended  with  many  days  of  excessive  heat. 
Spring  comes  early  and  permanently;  the  autumn  comes  slowly  and  late. 
In  Prance  and  Belgium  a  severe  frost  is  not  expected  in  May,  nor  is  it 
anticipated  that  ice  of  a  considerable  thickness  will  form  in  October.   'Hie 

Summer  days  in  t  hese  localities  are  considerably  longer  thai;  even  in  (he 
more  northern  portions  of  our  country,  and  at  least  an  hour  longer  than 
in  the  centers  of  OUT  greatest  agricultural  prosperity.  We  find,  there- 
lore,  so  -reat  a  deviation  in  their  climatic  conditions  that  we  can  not 
apply  with  rigidity  in  this  country  the  rules  respecting  the  climate 
deduced  from  the  experience  of  European  countries.  With  those  rules 
applicable  in  this  country,  il  would  be  easily  demonstrable  that  the 
Lir.it  center  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  on  this  continent  would  1><-  in 

Canada,  and    not    in    the    United    States.      We    have,   therefore,   had    to 

depend  so  tar  largely  on  theory  in  the  application  of  the  principles  of 
climatology  in  the  culture  of  the  sugar  beet  in  the  United  States.  The 
experimental  data  which  have  been  at  our  disposal  have  been  fragmen- 
tary, and,  aa  has  already  been  noted,  have  nol  been  secured  in  the  system- 
atic \\  ay  desirable.    The  result  i*.  even  to-day,  that  many  of  our  theories 


Map  showing  the  probable  Areas  suited  to  Beet  Culture 


'X 


*.>+* 


^^fe^l* .  l 


Hf 


Brown  Belt— Probable  basic  area  of 
Beet  Culture. 


tight  Brown  Shading-  Probable  ex- 
tension of  Beet  Culture  beyond 


%  Sv^ar  Factory  in  operation 
•  ffuiMhy  far  the  crop  oflSM 

Opm/Mied/U/nV  /or  iiienff  o/  MM 

Blue    Lines  —  Boundaries  of   areas  of 
annual  precipitation. 

Blue  Figures     Inches  of  annual  rainfall. 

Bed  Lines— Isotherms  of  mean  tempera- 
tures for  June,  July,  and  August. 

Red  Figures  —  Mean    temperatures  for 
June,  July,  and  August. 


.>-»* 


PREPARED  BY   DR    H.  W.  WILEY 
Washington.  D.  C,  Fet-ruary  :'->.  rSpa 


oo 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  23 

in  regard  to  climate  are  not  yet  substantiated  by  facts.  In  the  light  of 
the  data  at  hand,  in  the  publication  of  previous  reports  it  has  been 
assumed  that  the  beet- sugar  zone  of  the  United  States  would  be  found 
located  over  an  area  of  which  the  southern  limit  would  be  marked  by 
the  mean  isotherm  of  71°  F.  for  the  summer  mouths  of  June,  July,  and 
August.  While  this  temperature  is  considerably  higher  than  the  mean 
temperature  of  the  European  beet-sugar  areas  for  the  same  period  of 
time,  it  has  always  been  evident  that  the  beet  area  of  the  United  States 
would  necessarily  be  situated  farther  south  thau  the  like  area  of  Europe. 
There  are  two  reasons  which  make  this  location  imperative.  In  the 
first  place,  the  more  northern  latitudes  not  only  have  late  springs,  but 
even  after  the  spring  is  once  established  the  occurrence  of  a  heavy  frost 
is  not  unusual.  In  the  second  place,  these  same  latitudes  have  short 
autumns,  and  the  occurrence  of  heavy  frosts  in  late  October  or  early 
November  are  not  at  all  unexpected.  As  a  result  of  this,  the  season  for 
the  growth  and  harvest  of  the  beet  is  too  short  if  we  should  apply  for 
the  mean  summer  temperature  the  same  rules  as  obtain  in  Europe.  It 
is  evident,  however,  that  the  assumption  of  the  mean  isotherm  of  71° 
for  June,  July,  and  August  as  the  southern  limit  of  the  beet-sugar  area 
is  based  upon  so  many  independent  conditions  as  to  render  it  only  use- 
ful as  a  working  basis. 

OTHER  CONDITIONS. 

Iii  connection  with  the  temperature  must  be  considered  the  rainfall, 
the  contour  and  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  possibility  of  irrigation,  the 
abundance  of  subsoil  moisture,  the  proximity  of  coal,  limestone,  and 
water,  price  of  labor,  facilities  for  distribution  and  transportation,  and 
many  other  matters  which  are  important  in  a  discussion  of  the  subject. 
It  is  further  evident  that  the  tracing  of  a  single  isothermal  line  and  the 
arbitrary  addition  thereto  of  a  certain  width  of  land  on  either  side  do 
not  give  even  the  proper  theoretical  thermal  basis  for  a  careful  study 
of  climatic  conditions. 

MAP   OF    THERMAL   BELT. 

For  this  reason,  the  present  report  is  supplied  with  a  new  map 
(Plate  I),  which  has  been  kindly  prepared  by  the  Weather  Bureau  at 
our  request,  in  which  the  isothermal  lines  for  June,  July,  and  August 
have  been  traced  with  greater  care  and  from  data  extending  over  a 
longer  period  of  time.1 

The  result  of  these  new  studies  has  been  to  change  from  former  maps, 
in  some  cases  slightly  and  in  some  cases  considerably,  the  position  of 
the  mean  isotherm  of  70°  for  the  three  summer  months  named.  This 
change,  as  will  be  seen  by  consulting  the  new  map,  is  most  marked  in 

1  Data  supplied,  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Willis  S.  Moore,  chief  of  the  Weather 
Bureau,  by  Mr.  A.  ,J.  Henry.  The  map  was  drawn  by  the  draftsmen  of  the  Bureau 
under  Mr.  Henry's  direction. 


24  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

the  case  of  the  State  of  New  York,  where  in  former  maps  the  mean 
isotherm  of  70°  was  traced  in  a  line  running  almost  directly  west  from 
Albany  to  Buffalo. 

CHANGES   IN    THE   NEW  MAP. 

In  the  new  map  the  influence  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains  on  tempera 
ture  has  been  more  carefully  studied,  and  as  a  result  there  has  been  a 
considerable  deflection  of  the  isotherm  of  70°  to  the  south  and  south- 
west. The  general  trend  of  this  isotherm  from  Albany  is  in  a  south- 
westerly direction  until  the  Allegheny  Mountains  are  crossed,  where  it 
turns  in  a  westerly  direction  until  it  reaches  its  former  location  practi- 
cally in  the  neighborhood  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  The  position  of  this 
isotherm  from  this  point  westward  is  so  nearly  the  same  as  that  of  the 
other  map  as  to  require  no  particular  mention.  The  State  of  New  York, 
however,  especially  that  portion  of  it  lying  between  Albany  and  Buffalo, 
has  peculiar  thermal  conditions,  and  these  are  shown  in  a  special  map 
of  that  State  (PI.  II).  A  considerable  area  of  the  State  with  a  mean 
summer  temperature  of  70°  is  found  in  the  northwestern  part  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Rochester,  while  between  this  area  and  the  continuous 
isotherm  of  70°,  as  traced  upon  the  map,  is  a  considerable  space  of 
territory  where  the  mean  summer  temperature  is  considerably  below 
70°.  This  area,  however,  corresponds  more  nearly  to  the  beet  areas  of 
northern  Europe  than  any  other  portions  of  our  country.  The  tempera- 
ture and  other  climatic  conditions  in  this  area  are  more  uniform  by 
reason  of  the  modifying  effects  of  the  Great  Lakes  on  the  winds  which 
blow  from  the  west  and  northwest.  The  experimental  data  which  have 
been  collected  show,  therefore,  that  this  area,  although  in  many  cases 
the  mean  summer  temperature  is  below  70°,  is  peculiarly  suited  to  the 
production  of  beets  of  a  high  sugar  content.  The  comparatively  mild 
springs  and  autumns  also  favor  the  planting  and  harvesting  of  the  beet, 
so  that  the  conditions  of  this  area  are  as  favorable  to  the  production  of 
beets  of  the  proper  grade  as  those  areas  lying  immediately  contiguous 
to  the  mean  isotherm  of  70°. 

TRIPLE   ISOTHERMAL    I. INKS. 

As  a  single  isothermal  line  passing  across  the  country  affords  a  very 

narrow  basis  for  study,  it  has  been  deemed  advisable  in  the  map  here- 
with presented  to  take  as  the  nucleus  of  the  isothermic  sugar  /.one  not 

merely  the  isotherm  of  70  ,  but  that  belt  oi  territory,  varying  in  width, 

which  is  bounded  by  the  isotherms  of  (ii)     upon  the  north  and  71     upon 

the  south.  The  isotherm  of  70  is  found  between  these  two,  usually 
occupying  the  center  of  I  lie  belt,  or  nearly  so,  Imt  sometimes  approach- 
ing more  nearly  tin- one  or  the  other.  If,  now.  we  add  to  the  outside 
of  the  belt  of  irregular  width,  thus  outlined  by  the  two  isotherms  men- 
tioned, on  the  south  a  Strip  of  country  of  varying  width  and  on  the 
north  an  area  bounded   by  I  he  limit  of  dangerous  frosts,  this  area  will 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


25 


practically  include  the  whole  of  the  United  States  which,  from  theo- 
retical conditions  of  temperature,  is  best  suited  to  the  growth  of  sugar 
beets  of  a  high  saccharine  content. 

BEET   ZONE. 

The  shaded  portions  of  the  map  herewith  presented  indicate  in  a 
general  way  this  area.  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  extend  this  lat- 
eral shading  west  of  the  Missouri  River.  The  paucity  of  data  for  the 
western  part  of  the  country,  in  connection  with  the  extreme  vicissitudes 
of  climate,  renders  of  little  value  any  extension  of  the  thermal  belt. 

ANNUAL   RAINFALL. 

Connected  with  this  study,  the  annual  precipitation  is  of  the  utmost 
importance.  There  has  therefore  been  marked  upon  the  map,  in  the 
area  covered  by  this  belt,  the  mean  precipitation,  in  inches,  from  50  to 
40,  from  40  to  30,  and  so  on  down  to  the  least  recorded  quantities 
of  rainfall  in  the  far  western  arid  regions. 

The  mean  annual  precipitation  is,  of  course,  of  importance  in  deter- 
mining the  relations  of  the  different  regions  to  the  water  supply  and 
the  need  of  irrigation.  It  is  also  important  to  know  the  mean  precipi- 
tation for  the  months  during  which  the  chief  growth  of  the  crop  and 
the  harvest  take  place,  namely,  for  April,  May,  June,  July,  August, 
September,  and  October.  The  mean  precipitation  for  each  of  these 
three  months,  as  furnished  by  the  Weather  Bureau  for  the  localities 
mentioned,  is  indicated  in  the  following  tables: 

Monthly  arerayes  of  rainfall,  April-October. 


Stations. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

Amherst 

Boston 

Fall  River 

Fitchburg 

Lowell 

New  Bedford 

Springfield 

Taunton 

Worcester 

e<  ricuT. 

Hartford  

New  Haven 

New  London 

liiddletown ... 

Southington 

Wallingiord 

m  w  rosK. 

Albany  

Buffalo 

Coonerstown  

Gouverneur 

Ithaca 

New  York  City 

North  Salem 


Lati- 
tude. 


42  22 
42  2J 

41  42 

42  36 
42  39 

41  39 

42  05 

41  54 

42  16 


41  45 
41    Lfl 

41  21 
41  :;:; 
41  35 
41  27 


42  40 
42  53 
42  42 
4  1  25 
42  27 

40  43 

41  20 


Longi- 
tude. 

Eleva- 
tion. 

Num- 
ber ot 
years. 

0       / 

72  32 

235 

61 

71  04 

12 

79 

71  09 

259 

22 

71  50 

433 

32 

71    17 

104 

42 

70  56 

100 

83 

72  35 

70 

47 

71   05 

30 

22 

71   40 

473 

43 

72    10 

38 

27 

72  56 

10 

45 

72  05 

8 

26 

72  39 

37 

33 

72  51 

152 

26 

72  40 

73 

35 

7:;  i:. 

32 

60 

78  53 

27 

74  57 

1,300 

43 

75  35 

423 

21 

76  30 

375 

:ii; 

73  58 

52 

61 

73  34 

361 

23 

Apr. 


May. 


3.1 


2.9 
3.6 
3.6 
3.2 
3.6 
3.7 


3.0 
3.3 
3.7 
3.4 
3.  1 
3.6 


2.8 

2.  6 
2.1 

3.4 
3.4 


3.9 
3.7 
4.0 
3.8 
3.7 
3.8 
4.2 
3.3 
4.1 


3.  6 


- 
3.2 

4.2 


June, 


3.7 

:t.  2 
3.1 
3.3 
3.3 
3.0 
3.8 
2.  5 
3.1 


3.0 
3.1 

3.2 


4.1 
3.5 

4.  1 
2.7 

:;.7 
3.8 
3.5 


July. 


3.5 
3.7 
3.8 
3.1 
4.5 
3.5 
3.8 


4.1 
1.5 
4.0 
4.3 
3.9 
4.2 


4.2 

3.2 
4.3 
2.8 
3.5 
4.0 
4.0 


Au-. 


4.4 
4.3 
4.4 
4.3 
4.4 
3.9 
4.5 
4.2 


4.6 
4.6 

1.7 


Sept. 


3.4 
3.4 
3.3 
3.2 
3.3 
3.3 
3.4 

3.5 


::.  2 
3.4 


2.0 


3.4 
3.  1 

3.4 
3.1 


Oct.    Total. 


3.9 
3.8 
4.5 
4.1 


3.  0 
- 

4.4 

4.  1 
3.  (i 
4.2 


3.  5 
3.  6 

3.:; 

3.4 

2.  0 

3.  6 

4.  1 


2.'..  S 
26.7 
2."..  3 
25.  0 
24.4 

23.  7 
27.1 


25.  4 
27.  0 
27.  0 
27.  5 
24.  1 


25.  7 
22  7 
25'  4 
10.  1 
21.7 

26.  o 


26 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Monthly  averages  of  rainfall,  April-October — Continued. 


Sections. 


Lati- 
tude. 


new  york— cont'd 


Oswego. . 
Palermo  . 
Rochester 

Utica 


NEW  JERSEY 


Atlantic  City 
Lambert viUe 

Newark  

New  Brunswick 
South  Orange 

Trenton  

Viueland 


Blooming  drove 

Dyberry 

Erie 

Gettysburg 
Harrisburg 
Pittsburg..., 
Philadelphia 


Baltimore 
Cumberland 

Kinniitshurg 
1-  it'll'  lick 


Cleveland 

Columbus 

Marietta 

North  Lewisburg 

Steubenville 

Toledo 

Wauseon  . 
Westerville 


Angola 

Columbia  City 
ConnersT  ille.. 
Farmland 
Fori  Wa\  ne 
Indianapolis 
Lafayette 
Loganaporl 

Mau/.v 

Richmond  . 
Spiceland 


spice 
Wabash 


A  the 
August 
A nrora 
Chicago 
Blmira 
i  ralesburg 

Has 

11'  inn  pin 

Marengo. 
Mat  toon  . 
Oswegi 

Ottawa 
PeOl  ia  . 

Philo 

Pontiac 

Rockford 

:  dand  Arsenal 
Bandwlob 


June. 


3.4 
3.3 
3.3 


3.0 
3.3 
3.5 
3.9 
3.6 
3.9 
3.3 


3.8 


4.0 
3.8 
3.9 
4.6 


3.9 
3.5 
4.1 
4.0 
4.0 
3.4 
4.1 
3.8 


3.7 

4.1 

l 

4.0 

3.  S 

4.5 

4.2 

4.2 

1.5 

3.  9 
I.  I 

4.  <; 


5.7 
4.  1 
8.8 

3.7 
I.  1 
1.0 


3.8 
L2 

4.  1 

i  B 
4  0 

8.7 
1.2 
8.2 

;i  '.» 
4.3 


July.  Aug. 

Sept 

3.1 

2.6 

2.8 

3.3 

2.7 

3.2 

3.0 

3.0 

2.4 

4.7 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

4.3 

- 

4.4 

4.9 

4.3 

4.4 

3.8 

4.7 

4.9 

3.8 

4.9 

4.0 

5.5 

5.3 

4.0 

4.3 

4.9 

4.0 

5.0 

4.9 

3.1 

4.6 

3.8 

2.8 

2.8 

3.3 

4.0 

3.4 

3.6 

3.0 

4.2 

3.9 

3.6 

4.0 

3.4 

2.9 

4.0 

4.3 

3.5 

4.7 

4.0 

3.  9 

3.4 

3.2 

2.8 

3.4 

3.3 

3.8 

3.5 

'J.  7 

3.7 

3.4 

3.1 

3.6 

3.2 

3.2 

•J.  0 

4.4 

3.9 

3.  1 

4.4 

3.3 

4.0 

3.  9 

3.  1 

•_'.  4 

:;.4 

■•  7 

3.9 

3.3 

3.  1 

2.7 

2   7 

3.8 

3.  "J 

'J.  7 

3.  9 

2   i 

'1.1 

■j  e 

•J  8 

3. :. 

3.  6 

1   8 

3.4 

L2 

3.3 

3.1 

2.7 

2.9 

3.  1 

8.7 

8.  1 

B. '.' 

i   1 

4.1 

3.3 

;:  l 

3.4 

3.0 

2.5 

3.4 

3.  (I 

3.  6 

4.  1 

3.3 

3.2 

8.4 

B.0 

8.  o 

3.3 

i  a 

1    1 

3  .; 

•i. :. 

- 

3.0 

8.7 

8.8 

2  8 

:i.  1 

3   n 

• 

8.  9 

t  (i 

■•  7 

8.  1 

3.3 

•J   2 

1.5 

1    7 

3.  0 

3. 'J 

3.7 

3.  3 

3.'J 

4.5 

t  B 

3.5 

BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY   IN   THE   UNITED    STATES. 


27 


Monthly  averages  of  rainfall,  April-October — Continued. 


Sections. 


Lati-    Longi- 
tude,    tude. 


Eleva- 
tion. 

Num- 
ber of 

years. 

644 

17 

800 

15 

640 

7 

861 

18 

750 

11 

741 

30 

657 

24 

857 

28 

593 

33 

591 

53 

580 

46 

593 

25 

604 

14 

770 

20 

836 

33 

584 

22 

Apr.   May.  June.  July.   Aug.    Sept.     Oct. 


Total. 


Illinois— continued. 


Springfield 
Sycamore . . . 
Watseka  . .. 
Winnebago. 
Wyanet 


WISCONSIN. 


Eeloit 

La  Crosse.. 
Madison . .. 
Manitowoc 
Milwaukee 


MICHIGAN. 


39  48 
42  00 

40  48 
42  17 

41  30 


42  30 

43  49 
"43  05 

44  07 
43  02 


42  20 


Detroit 

Grand  Haven 43  05 

Grand  Rapids 42  57 

Kalamazoo 42  20 

Lansing 42  44 

Port  Huron 43  00 


89  39 

88  42 
87  45 

89  12 
89  45 


89  11 
91  15 

89  24 
87  46 
87  54 


83  03 
86  18 
85  40 
85  38 

84  32 
82  26 


3.7 
3.6 
3.7 
3.2 
3.8 


2.9 
2.4 
2.6 
■2.4 

2.8 


2.6 
2.6 
2.8 
2.6 
2.4 
2.1 


5.0 
4.3 
5.6 
4.0 
4.6 


3.3 
3.5 
2.6 
3.4 


4.4 
5.0 
3.7 
4.1 
4.5 


4.0 
4.5 
4.5 
3.6 
3.8 


3.8 
3.8 
4.2 
4.5 
4.0 
3.5 


3.0 
3.5 

4.2 


3.5 
4.0 
4.0 
3.5 
3.2 


2.4 
2.9 
2.4 
3.2 
4.7 


3.6 
3.2 
3.1 
3.2 
2.7 


3.2 
3.0 
2.9 

3.6 
4.8 


3.4 
4.2 
3  1 
3.0 

3.0 


2.7 
3.1 
2.6 
2.3 

2.4 


2.5 
2.3 


2.6 
2.2 


3.6 

2.6 

3.0 

2.6 

2.8 

2.7 

3.6 

3.2 

2.4 

2.4 

3.4 

2.5 

3.2 

2.6 

3.2 

2.8 

3.1 

2.7 

2.9 

2.5 

2.4 

2.6 

2.6 

2.8 

24.2 
25.5 
23.9 
23.9 
29.0 


23.1 
23.9 
23.4 
20.9 
21.1 


21.3 
22.1 
21.3 
23.3 
21.0 
19.4 


STUDY   OF   PARTICULAR    LOCALITIES. 


North  Carolina  and  West  Virginia. 

The  elevated  areas  of  the  mountain  regions  of  North  Carolina  and 
West  Virginia  afford  conditions  of  temperature  and  precipitation  which 
are  favorable  to  the  growth  of  sugar  beets.  The  rough  and  moun- 
tainous character  of  this  portion  of  the  country,  however,  presents 
mechanical  difficulties  in  cultivation  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  warrant 
the  statement  that  the  beet  industry  on  a  large  scale  is  not  likely  to  be 
established  within  it.  A  portion  of  the  region  specified  has  a  mean 
annual  rainfall  of  more  than  50  inches,  while  the  most  of  it  is  supplied 
with  a  rainfall  of  40  inches.  It  is  not  probable,  on  account  of  the  con- 
sideration mentioned  above,  that  the  beet-sugar  industry,  on  a  scale 
of  any  magnitude,  will  ever  be  established  in  the  regions  specified. 

Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland. 

The  isotherm  of  71°  enters  Maryland  at  a  point  about  the  center 
of  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  eastern  shore,  and  runs  north  by  north- 
east almost  to  Poughkeepsie,  X.  Y.  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that 
the  temperature  conditions  of  this  region  are  similar  to  those  on  or 
south  of  the  isotherm  of  71°  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  although 
here  in  this  area  the  region  lies  to  the  west  of  this  isotherm.  Judged 
by  this  factor,  and  also  by  the  mean  annual  rainfall,  which  is  40  inches 
for  this  locality,  the  cultivation  of  the  sugar  beet  might  be  success 
fully  inaugurated  along  the  Atlantic;  coast  of  the  eastern  shore;  in  fact, 
practically  over  the  whole  of  the  southern  portion  of  the  eastern  shore 
of  Maryland.  The  character  of  the  soil  in  this  Locality  is  mostly  sandy, 
and  its  natural  fertility  has  been  considerably  diminished  by  long  years 


28  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

of  cultivation.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt,  however,  the  fact  that 
with  proper  fertilization  and  cultivation  the  requisite  degree  of  fertility 
for  the  production  of  sugar  beets  could  be  secured.  The  general  tend- 
ency in  this  region  is  in  the  direction  of  a  too  high  temperature  and 
too  tew  hours  of  sunshine.  The  above  observations  apply  also  to 
Accomac  County,  Va. 

Delaware. 

The  observations  which  have  been  made  in  regard  to  the  eastern 
shore  of  Maryland  also  apply  to  the  eastern  region  of  Delaware.  On 
account  of  the  ravages  of  the  "yellows"  among  the  peach  orchards  of 
southern  Delaware,  it  might  be  worth  while  for  the  agricultural  experi- 
ment station  to  make  a  careful  survey  of  the  southeastern  portion  of 
the  State  with  reference  to  the  possibility  of  producing  sugar  beets  of 
the  requisite  degree  of  saccharine  strength.  The  surface  of  the  soil  is 
generally  level;  a  good  deal  of  it  is  of  a  sandy  nature,  and  so  far  as 
its  physical  properties  are  concerned,  it  may  be  regarded  as  favorable 
to  beet  growth. 

New  Jersey. 

The  mean  isotherm  of  71°  degrees  passes  northward  almost  parallel 
to  the  Atlantic  coast  of  New  Jersey,  and  at  varying  distances  there 
from.  The  part  of  New  Jersey  lying  between  this  isotherm  and  the 
seacoast  is  mostly  composed  of  sandy  soils,  reasonably  level.  There 
are  no  mechanical  difficulties  of  any  magnitude  connected  with  the 
culture  of  the  beet,  and  the  problem  of  fertilization  of  the  soil  is  one 
which  is  easily  solved.  The  same  observations  in  regard  to  possibilities 
of  beet  culture  may  be  made  of  this  region  of  New  Jersey  as  have 
been  made  in  respect  of  Maryland  and  Delaware.  This  general  obser- 
vation relating  to  the  whole  may  be  added  : 

We  have  in  tins  area  ;i  menu  snmmer  temperature  of  71°.  In  no 
place  does  it  reach  the  isotherm  of  70°.  The  whole  region  may  there- 
fore be  regarded  ns  representing  thai  of  a  maximum  temperature  com- 
patible with  beet  culture.     It  may  be  further  said  thai  the  culture  of 

the  beet  should  only  be  pushed  south  and  beyond   the  isotherm  of  71    . 

where  peculiar  natural  advantages,  independent  of  thermal  factors,  are 
afforded.    These   natural   advantages  consist  of  exceptionally   fertile 

soil,  favorable  contour  of  the  surface,  cheapness  of  fuel,  facilities  for 
transportation,   etc.      A    large    portion    of  the    region    which     has    been 

mentioned  is  devoted  to  truck  farming  for  the  markets  of  large  cities, 
and  it  is  doubtful  if  this  remunerative  form  of  agriculture  could  be 
replaced  successfully  with  sugar  beet  culture  in  competition  \\itli  more 

QOrthern  localities,  where  richer  beets  can  be  produced.      Nevertheless, 

the  possible  productioD  of  fairly  good  beets  in  the  region  indicated 
must  be  admitted  from  the  point  of  view  of  temperature  and  precipi- 
tation alone. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  29 

Connecticut. 

It  will  be  observed  that,  both  in  respect  of  precipitatiou  and  tem- 
perature, the  whole  of  Connecticut  may  be  regarded  as  lying  in  the 
beet  belt.  From  theoretical  considerations,  therefore,  it  could  be  pre- 
dicted that  beets  grown  in  Connecticut  would  show  a  satisfactory 
content  of  sugar  and  possess  a  high  purity.  So  favorable  are  the  theo- 
retical conditions  in  that  locality  that  it  would  be  advisable  for  the 
agricultural  experiment  stations  of  the  State  to  make  a  systematic 
agricultural  survey  of  the  possibilities  of  growing  beets.  The  valley 
of  the  Connecticut  River  affords  a  fertile  held  of  experiment  where 
the  mechanical  conditions  of  culture  and  the  natural  conditions  of  the 
soil  are  factors  which  favor  success.  There  are  large  areas  of  the  State, 
however,  so  broken  in  contour  as  to  render  the  possibilities  of  beet  cul- 
ture unpromising,  but  wherever  large  bodies  of  fairly  level  land  with 
good  fertility  can  be  found  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  the  culture  of  the 
sugar  beet  would  be  attended  Avith  success.  Conditions  which  obtain 
in  Connecticut  are  also  found  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  although  a 
portion  of  that  State  lies  north  of  the  isotherm  of  G9°.  As  will  be 
seen  farther  along,  however,  in  discussing  the  conditions  of  growth  in 
New  York,  there  are  many  localities  in  the  United  States  north  of  the 
isotherm  of  G9°  where  beets  flourish;  in  fact,  it  may  be  said  that  the 
possibilities  of  growing  beets  north  of  the  isotherm  of  69°,  where  rea- 
sonably mild  autumns  can  be  expected,  are  much  better  than  south  of 
the  isotherm  of  71°. 

Massachusetts. 

The  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  loubt- 
less  affords  as  fine  facilities  for  beet  culture  as  in  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut. The  greater  part  of  the  State  lies  north  of  the  isotherm  of 
G9°.  As  in  the  case  of  Connecticut,  there  are  doubtless  many  regions 
in  this  State  north  of  the  isotherm  of  G9°  where,  owing  to  the  mild 
autumns,  the  sugar  beet  may  be  expected  to  grow  satisfactorily  for 
sugar-making  purposes.  A  large  part  of  the  State  is  unfitted,  by  rea- 
son of  its  contour  and  the  nature  of  the  soil,  for  the  culture  of  beets, 
but  at  least  the  Connecticut  Valley  and  similar  stretches  of  soil  might 
be  used  to  good  advantage  for  this  purpose. 

New  Hampshire  ani>  Vermont. 

These  States,  lying  north  of  the  isotherm  of  69  .  will  have  to  contend 
in  the  growth  of  beets  with  the  shorter  growing  season  and  less  heai 
for  the  three  months  of  June,  July,  and  August  for  forcing  the  beets  to 
maturity.  Nevertheless.it  is  doubtless  true  that  for  a  distance  of  LOO 
miles,  or  even  more,  north  of  the  isotherm  of  09°  beet  culture  could  be 
practiced  with  success  on  account  of  the  longer  summer  days.  Samples 
of  beets  received  from  Vermont  and  analyzed  in  this  Laboratory  show 


30  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

favorable  contents  of  sugar,  and  high  purities.  Those  grown  also  at 
the  experiment  station  of  Vermont,  as  will  be  seen  farther  on.  afford 
encouraging  data.  The  thing  to  be  feared  in  these  localities  is  not 
inability  to  grow  a  beet  rich  in  sugar,  but  the  possibility  of  being  able 
to  harvest  and  secure  it  properly  before  the  advent  of  winter.  These 
areas  do  not  enjoy  the  immunity  from  sudden  changes  of  temperature, 
due  to  the  lake  breezes,  which  is  characteristic  of  the  great  plain  of  the 
.State  of  Xew  York  between  Albany  and  Buffalo. 

New  York. 

In  this  State  we  have  a  remarkable  variety  of  ther~ial  conditions. 
The  mean  isotherms  of  09°  and  70°  pass  in  a  southwesterly  direction 
from  Albany  into  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  following,  in  general,  the 
trend  of  the  ranges  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains.  The  influence  of 
these  high  altitudes  is  seen  in  forcing  these  isotherms  to  the  south. 
The  southeastern  portion  of  the  State  of  New  York  lies,  therefore, 
within  the  belt  of  isotherms  peculiarly  favorable  to  beet  culture,  with 
the  exception  of  the  valley  of  the  Hudson  from  a  point  a  few  miles 
above  Poughkeepsie  to  the  mouth  of  the  river.  This  valley,  including 
the  city  of  New  York,  has  a  higher  temperature  than  that  deemed 
most  suitable  to  beet  culture.  As  this  valley  is,  however,  unfitted 
by  reason  of  its  contour  to  the  culture  of  beets,  the  above  fact  is  of 
little  importance.  Passing  to  the  west  of  Albany,  the  mean  summer 
.temperatures  for  the  three  months  of  June.  July,  and  August  are  con- 
siderably below  the  standards  which  have  been  mentioned  until  the 
region  immediately  east  of  Rochester  is  reached,  where  again  we  find 
a  mean  isotherm  of  70°,  and  about  Palmyra  of  almost  71°.  South- 
west of  this  the  mean  temperatures  of  the  summer  are  again  below  (19°. 
Nevertheless,  a  fairly  satisfactory  agricultural  survey  of  this  region 
has  shown  that  it  is  capable  of  producing  beets  of  high  quality ;  and 
the  effects  of  the  lake  breezes  upon  the  climate  have  doubtless  much 
to  do  with  this  condition.  For  instance,  in  regions  in  this  area  where 
the  mean  summer  temperature  is  below  <>!>  the  autumns  are  far  more 
mild  than  in  the  similar  regions  in  Minnesota,  SO  thai  the  months  of 
October  and   November  can  both  be  relied  upon  with  great  certainty 

for  securing  the  harvest  of  the  beets.  As  lias  been  before  mentioned, 
we  have  in  this  region  a  nearer  approach  to  the  conditions  of  beet 
growing  in  northern   Europe  than  in  any  other  place  in  the  United 

States.  This  whole  region,  therefore,  must  be  considered  and  included 
in  the  area  of  our  country  where  the  theoretical  conditions,  and  where 
the  actual  conditions,  of  temperature  and  precipitation  favor  the  pro- 
duction of  a  beet  of  high    saccharine  content.      If  we  should   leave  out 

of  the  calculation  the  southern  deflection  of  the  isotherms  of  69    and 

7<>  .  due  to  the  Appalachian  system,  and  connect  directly  the  area,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Rochester,  where  these  temperatures  obtain,  with 
Albany,  neglecting  the  intermediate  temperatures,  we  should  have  the 
isotherms  occupying  practically  the  sunn-  position  in  this  new  map  that 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  31 

they  were  made  to  occupy  in  the  former  maps  furnished  by  the  Signal 
Office  for  this  Department.  In  the  absence  of  definite  information  on 
the  subject,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  the  former  maps  were  made  in 
this  way,  and  this  accounts  for  the  discrepancy  in  the  position  of  the 
isotherm  of  70°  found  in  these  maps  and  in  the  one  now  presented. 
Abundant  experimental  data  go  to  show  that  the  total  area  of  the 
State  of  Xew  York  south  of  Saratoga  is  well  suited  to  the  growth  of 
beets,  wherever  the  physical  conditions  of  contour  are  favorable  and  the 
soil  suitable.  The  map  of  the  beet  area  has  therefore  been  extended 
so  as  to  include  this  region  in  the  beet  belt. 

Pennsylvania. 

A  large  portion  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the  thermal  point 
of  view  alone,  is  well  suited  to  the  growth  of  beets.  The  position  occu- 
pied by  the  belt  of  territory  included  between  the  isotherms  of  09°  and 
71°,  however,  in  tlie  State  of  Pennsylvania  indicates  an  area  which,  for 
physical  reasons,  is  mostly  unsuited  to  beet  culture,  as  it  covers  prin- 
cipally the  mountainous  region  of  that  State.  The  northwestern  part 
of  the  State,  especially  the  portion  bordering  on  Lake  Erie,  has  the 
same  favorable  conditions  for  beet  culture  as  are  found  in  the  great 
valley  of  the  State  of  Xew  York ;  and  the  principal  development  of  the 
industry  in  that  State,  for  the  physical  reasons  mentioned  above,  must 
be  looked  for  in  that  section.  South  of  the  isotherm  of  71°  there  may  be 
favorable  regions  in  the  southern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  State,  but 
the  altitude  has  pushed  the  isotherms  too  far  south  to  look  for  the  best 
results  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  State,  on  account  of  the  shorter 
days  due  to  the  more  southern  latitude.  Where  conditions  of  contour 
and  fertility  of  soil  are  favorable,  the  whole  portion  of  Pennsylvania 
north  and  west  of  the  isotherm  of  71°  may  be  regarded  as  favorable  to 
beet  culture.  The  precipitation  immediately  west  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains  is  not  so  great  as  on  the  east,  but  there  is  an  area  in  the 
extreme  northwestern  part  of  the  State  where  the  mean  average  pre- 
cipitation is  nearly  the  same  as  that  east  of  the  mountains,  namely. 
between  40  and  50  inches. 

Ohio. 

The  northeastern  and  northern  parts  of  Ohio  are  well  situated  for 
beet  culture.  In  general,  the  contour  of  the  land  is  favorable,  being 
reasonably  level,  and  the  soil  is  fairly  fertile.  The  conditions  in  these 
localities  are  fairly  comparable  with  those  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
except  that  the  mean  temperature  is  higher,  the  mean  isotherm  of  To 
running  in  a  northwesterly  direction  across  the  northern  part  of  Ohio 
and  entering  the  lake  near  Sandusky.  It  is  probable  also  that  to  a 
considerable  distance  south  of  the  isotherm  of  71  .  good  beets  can  be 
grown,  but  where  so  large  an  area  is  found  with  more  favoring  climatic 
conditions,  it  is  not  well  to  push  the  industry  too  far  south  until  more 
favorable  localities  are  fully  exploited. 


32  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Michigan. 

A  large  part  of  the  southern  peninsula  of  Michigan  is  directly  in  the 
heart  of  the  beet  belt.  The  contour  of  the  soil  is  also  favorable,  being 
reasonably  level,  with  an  average  fertility,  and  the  data  which  have 
been  secured  in  actual  experiments  in  those  regions  are  of  the  most 
encouraging  kind.  There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  of  the  tact  that  this 
locality  is  among-  the  best  in  the  United  S'ates  lor  beet  culture,  and  the 
modi  lying  influence  of  the  lake  on  the  autumnal  climate  must  not  be 
lost  sight  of. 

Indiana. 

The  northern  counties  of  Indiana,  especially  the  northwestern,  are 
situated  in  the  beet  area,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  culture  of  the  beet 
may  be  extended  southward,  as  in  the  case  of  Ohio,  as  far  as  Fort 
Wayne  and  Lafayette,  although  it  is  not  advisable  for  intending 
investors  to  locate  in  the  more  southern  areas  until  the  more  north- 
ern have  been  fully  exploited.  The  agricultural  survey  of  the  northern 
part  of  the  State,  undertaken  by  the  experiment  station  at  Lafayette, 
in  conjunction  with  the  work  of  this  Department,  will  indicate  finally 
with  more  accuracy  than  a  mere  theoretical  map  the  most  favorable 
conditions  of  culture.  Great  interest  has  been  manifested  in  Indiana 
in  the  extreme  southwestern  portion,  near  Evansville,  in  the  culture 
of  the  beet,  and,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  data,  many  samples 
have  been  secured  from  that  portion  of  the  State.  In  many  respects 
this  region  is  most  favorable  to  beet  culture,  particularly  on  account  of 
the  facilities  for  transportation,  cheapness  of  fuel,  and  the  fertility  of 
the  soil.  The  mean  summer  temperature,  however,  is  so  high  as  to 
cause  grave  doubts  concerning  the  future  success  of  beel  growth  in 
that  locality. 

The  soil  in  northern  Indiana  is  much  like  that  of  Michigan — sandy, 
reasonably  level,  and  fairly  fertile— and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
an  industry  profitable  both  to  the  fanner  and  manufacturer  may  grow 
up  in  that  part  of  the  country. 

1 1  I  [NOIS . 

The  northern  part  of  Illinois  is  in  the  beet-sugar  belt,  and  the  con- 
ditions in  respect  of  contour  of  the  surface  and  fertility  of  the  soil, 
facilities  and  cheapness  of  transportation,  etc.,  are  excellent  for  the 
sugar  beet  industry.  The  character  of  the  soil  in  northern  Illinois, 
however,  is  quite  different,  from  that  of  northern  Indiana  and  the 
southern  peninsula  of  Michigan.  It  is  mostly  a  prairie  soil,  dark  and 
underlaid  \n  i 1 1  i  clay,  so  that  the  physical  conditions  of  culture  are 
probably  not  so  favorable  as  in  the  other  sections  just  named. 

W  I8CONBUY. 

Southern    Wisconsin    occupies    a     most     favorable   position    for    beet 

culture,  and  the  data  which  have  been  obtained  from  that  state  by 
the  agricultural  experiment  stal  ion  ai  Madison,  in  conjunction  with  the 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  33 

work  of  this  Department,  are  favorable,  and  show  great  possibilities  of 
success  for  the  industry  in  that  region.  We  begin  to  notice  here  the 
effects  of  the  southwestern  breezes  in  forcing  northward  the  isotherms 
of  70°  and  69°,  aud  these  hot  breezes  cut  off  from  the  culture  of  the 
beet  large  areas  where  soil  and  other  conditions  are  extremely  favor- 
able. The  same  remark  should  be  applied  to  the  belt  of  country  imme- 
diately south  of  the  isotherm  of  71°  that  has  heretofore  been  made, 
namely,  that  there  are  doubtless  many  sections  where  the  successful 
culture  of  the  beet  may  be  secured.  This  is  dependent  upon  local 
conditions  which  must  be  determined  by  careful  agricultural  surveys 
in  the  future. 

Minnesota. 

The  deflection  in  a  northwesterly  direction  of  the  isotherms  of  70° 
and  69°  includes  in  the  sugar  beet  area  a  large  portion  of  the  State  of 
Minnesota,  especially  the  southeastern  portion.  Here  there  is  no 
question  of  the  growth  of  the  crop  and  the  production  of  beets  of  high 
saccharine  qualities.  The  great  point  to  be  feared  in  this  locality  Is 
the  early  approach  of  winter,  and  this  is  true  of  all  the  cis  montane 
western  regions.  We  find  here  a  drop  in  the  rainfall  from  an  annual 
average  of  30  to  40  inches  to  one  of  from  20  to  30  inches.  We  there- 
fore meet  here  a  greater  possibility  of  suffering  from  a  dry  season 
than  in  the  regions  of  the  East.  As  a  rule,  however,  the  quantity  of 
rainfall  during  the  growing  season  is  sufficient  for  the  production  of  a 
good  crop. 

Iowa. 

A  remarkable  deflection  of  the  isotherms  of  69°  and  70°  is  noticed 
in  passing  from  Minnesota  to  Iowa.  Not  only  are  these  isotherms 
deflected  toward  the  south,  but  they  actually  take  a  backward  course 
toward  the  east,  so  that  their  direction  for  a  considerable  distance  is 
east  of  south.  This  brings  the  theoretical  beet  belt,  so  far  as  tempera- 
ture is  concerned,  almost  through  the  center  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 
The  well-known  fertility  of  the  soil  of  this  State,  witli  the  generally 
level  character  of  the  surface,  shows  that  the  agricultural  possibilities 
for  the  growth  of  sugar  beets  are  great.  In  the  greater  part  of  the 
State  the  rainfall  reaches  30  inches  per  annum,  but  in  the  northwestern 
part  the  approach  to  the  arid  region  is  shown  by  a  dropping  off  oi  the 
average  rainfall,  so  that  it  is  between  20  and  30  inches.  Nevertheless, 
experience  shows  that,  as  a  rule,  a  sufficient  rainfall  is  provided  in  all 
parts  of  the  State  for  the  growth  of  ordinary  agricultural  crops.  The 
isotherms  of  69°  and  70°,  after  passing  partly  across  the  State  of  Iowa, 
take  a  sudden  turn  toward  the  north  and  west  and  pass  out  of  the  State 
again  into  Minnesota,  where  they  reach  a  more  northern  latitude  than 
Minneapolis.  With  the  exception  of  the  southwestern  counties  of 
Iowa  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  almost  the  whole  of  the  area  of  the 
State,  in  so  far  as  thermal  conditions  and  rainfall  are  concerned]  is 
H.  Doc.  ;J96 3 


34  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

suited  to  the  growth  of  beets.  Of  course,  in  this  matter,  it  should  be 
remembered,  that  local  conditions  of  soil,  transportation,  fuel  supply, 
and  other  factors  must  be  taken  into  consideration.  Iowa  also  occupies 
a  position  where  there  is  no  tempering  influence  of  the  northwestern 
winds,  so  that  it  begins  to  feel  the  rigors  of  the  winter  at  an  earlier 
date  than  is  experienced  on  the  same  isotherms  east  of  the  Great  Lakes. 

North  and  South  Dakota. 

The  conditions  which  prevail  in  North  and  South  Dakota  are  some- 
what unique.  From  the  highest  position  attained  in  Minnesota,  at  the 
border  line  between  that  State  and  North  and  South  Dakota,  the  iso- 
therm of  69°  turns  again  east  and  south  and  suffers  a  considerable 
deflection,  due  doubtless  to  the  lower  altitude  of  the  Red  River  Valley. 
Passing,  however,  into  Dakota  the  isotherms  are  rapidly  pushed  north- 
ward by  reason  of  the  hot  southwest  winds  which  are  so  often  experi- 
enced in  the  summer  time  in  those  localities.  For  these  reasons  the 
isotherm  of  G9°  reaches  almost  as  far  north  as  Bismarck,  and  the  iso- 
therm of  70°  is  only  a  few  miles  south  of  it.  From  this  point  the 
isotherms  of  G9°  and  70°  run  almost  due  south  from  North  Dakota 
entirely  across  the  State  of  South  Dakota  and  into  Nebraska.  The 
most  favorable  beet- sugar  belt,  in  so  far  as  the  temperature  alone  is 
concerned,  would  be  the  area  bounded  by  the  isotherms  of  71  and  69 
degrees,  occupying  a  belt  of  considerable  breadth  running  north  and 
south  through  South  Dakota  into  North  Dakota,  and  southeast  through 
North  Dakota  back  into  South  Dakota.  The  depression  due  to  the 
Missouri  River  causes  an  area  of  higher  temperature  to  extend  in  a 
north  westerly  direction  into  South  Dakota.  This  area,  although  per- 
haps  not  so  favorable  to  beet  growth  as  the  other,  is  still  situated  in  a 
fertile  country,  and  doubtless  has  many  advantages  tor  growing  beets 
not  possessed  by  the  higher  lands  to  the  east  and  west  of  it.  There  is 
no  question  of  the  ability  of  both  the  regions  within  (he  area  specified 
to  grow  beets  of  line  saccharine  strength.  Abundant  experimental 
data  have  been  secured  from  both  the  States  to  substantiate  this  state- 
ment. Caution,  however, must  again  be  given  in  regard  to  the  sudden 
advent  of  the  winters,  especially  in  North  Dakota,  where  sometimes  in 
October,  and  usually  in  November,  temperatures  approaching  zero  or 
even  below  zero,  degrees  Fahrenheit,  are  observed.    These  sudden  falls 

of  temperature  would  prove  disastrous  to  the  beet  harvests,  and  hence 
tend    t<»  restrict  to  a  certain  degree  tlic  spread   of  the  industry  in  that 

country.    Again,  attention  should  be  called  to  the  fact  thai  the  whole 

of  the  areas  in  the  two  Dakotas,  where  the  thermal  conditions  are 
best  suited  to  heet  culture,  has  an  average  annual  rainfall  of  only 
from  L5  to  20  inches.  The  danger  of  drought  and  the  possible  shortage 
Or  loss  of  tin-  crop  from  that  source  are  therefore  increased,  ami  we  begin 

to  approach  an  area  where  artificial  irrigation  must  be  looked  t<»  in 

many  seasons.  Probably,  however,  in  the  majority  of  seasons  the  rain- 
fall in  this  vicinity  would  be  sufficient  to  secure  a  good  crop. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  35 

Nebraska. 

A  study  of  the  position  of  the  isotherms  shows  that  the  best  part  of 
the  State  of  Nebraska,  both  as  respects  soil  and  rainfall,  has  an  average 
temperature  of  more  than  71°  during  the  summer  months.  The  most 
favorable  conditions  of  temperature  are  found  almost  in  the  center  of 
the  State  over  an  area  of  somewhat  irregular  shape,  and  occupying  a 
position  where  the  extreme  distance  separating  the  isotherms  of  71° 
and  69°  is  the  greatest  of  any  in  the  country.  In  Nebraska  the  two 
isotherms  of  69°  and  70°  run  almost  parallel,  but  the  isotherm  of  71° 
runs  first  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  then  almost  south,  and  finally 
almost  due  west,  forming  a  stomach-shaped  area  occupying  a  portion 
of  Dakota  and  the  central  portion  of  Nebraska.  The  agricultural  and 
analytical  data  which  have  been  obtained  in  Nebraska  are  very  exten- 
sive, and  it  will  be  observed  that  both  of  the  sugar  factories  which  have 
been  established  in  that  State  are  south  of  the  limit  of  71°.  It  has  been 
observed  also,  by  those  who  have  had  access  to  the  analytical  data  of 
these  two  factories,  that  the  saccharine  contents  of  the  beets  which  have 
been  delivered  to  them  have  not  been  equal  to  those  of  beets  grown  in 
more  favorable  localities  in  the  United  States.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
insufficiency  of  the  rainfall  in  the  central  and  western  portions  of  the 
State  renders  less  certain  the  growth  of  sugar  beets,  and  tends  to  crowd 
the  sugar  factories  and  the  sugar  industry  into  the  wetter  and  more 
fertile  portions,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  temperature  is  higher. 

The  Arid  Regions. 

It  will  now  be  necessary  to  trace  the  theoretical  sugar-beet  belt,  so 
far  as  thermal  conditions  are  concerned,  by  States  through  the  arid 
regions.  There  is  so  little  of  the  area  embraced  in  this  belt  which  is 
subject  to  irrigation,  that  it  is  understood  at  once  that  the  possible  beet- 
sugar  industry  of  that  region  must  be  confined  to  the  most  favorable 
localities.  It  is  interesting  to  see,  however,  how  the  elevation  produced 
by  the  Rocky  Mountain  range  deflects  the  isotherms  which  have  been 
traced  in  a  generally  westerly  direction  up  to  this  point  so  far  to  the 
south.  Passing  from  Nebraska,  the  isotherm  of  70°  runs  in  a  south- 
westerly direction  to  a  point  southwest  of  Denver,  whence  it  turns  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  to  New  Mexico,  thence  almost  due  south  to  near 
the  Mexican  border.  Being  deflected  to  the  west,  it  ascends  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  range  in  a  general  northerly  and 
westerly  direction,  passing  in  a  northwesterly  direction  through  Utah, 
thence  turning  west  and  south  in  Nevada,  being  deflected  again  to  the 
south  by  the  Sierra  Nevada  range  of  mountains,  which  it  crosses,  pass- 
ing from  Nevada  into  California,  whence  it  passes  northward  again 
along  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  until  it  comes 
near  the  coast  line  in  the  northern  part  of  California.  Thence  the 
isotherm  of  70°  is  deflected  southward,  almost  parallel  with  the  const 
line,  until  it  passes  into  lower  California.     It  is  seen  that  all  the  coast 


36  BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

valleys  of  California  are  included  in  the  thermal  belt  most  favorable  to 
beet  culture.  The  greater  part  of  the  area  included  in  the  thermal 
belt  which  has  just  been  traced  across  the  arid  region  is  totally  mi  suited, 
on  account  of  the  mountainous  and  rough  region  of  the  surface,  for 
agricultural  uses.  It  is  therefore  evident  that  it  is  only  in  isolated 
places,  where  the  surface  of  the  land  is  smooth  and  irrigation  can  be 
practiced,  that  beet  culture  can  be  established.  In  connection  with  the 
thermal  belt,  the  map  shows  that  the  mean  average  rainfall  in  many 
cases  does  not  exceed  5  inches  per  annum. 

In  addition  to  the  continuous  belt  thus  marked  out,  there  are  some 
areas  of  varying  temperature  which  demand  attention,  as,  for  instance, 
the  elliptical  area  bounded  by  the  isotherm  of  70°  in  Idaho,  of  which 
Boise  City  is  the  center,  and  another  area  bound  ".  by  the  isotherm  of 
70°,  within  which  an  isotherm  of  71°  is  found,  in  the  State  of  Washing- 
ton. There  is  also  one  locality  in  Montana,  on  the  Yellowstone  River, 
where  the  average  summer  temperature  is  71°. 

In  so  far  as  thermal  conditions  are  concerned,  vast  areas  of  the  arid 
regions  could  be  devoted  to  beet  culture  if  the  other  conditions  of  cul- 
ture were  favorable.  The  differences  of  elevation  of  the  plateaus  cause 
numerous  sudden  changes  of  temperature,  so  that  there  are  doubtless 
many  localities  not  marked  on  the  map  where  the  mean  summer  tem- 
perature is  almost  identical  with  that  which  has  been  already  mapped 
out.  By  reason  of  the  meageruess  of  data,  experimental  and  other- 
wise, relating  to  this  whole  region  west  of  the  Missouri  ftiver,  the 
shading  showing  the  probable  extension  of  the  beet  area  beyond  the 
borders  of  the  basic  thermal  belt  has  been  omitted.  The  general  dis- 
cussion of  this  thermal  belt,  accompanied  as  it  is  by  the  chart  of  pre- 
cipitation, is  not  necessary  at  this  point.  In  general,  in  connection 
with  this  study,  the  remarks  which  are  made  in  Bulletin  No.  27,  on 
page  169,  and  repeated  in  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  52,  may  be  recalled 
with  profit: 

The  mistake  must  not  bo  made  of  supposing  that  all  the  region  inolnded  within 
the  boundaries  of  this  zone  is  suitable  for  beet  culture  Rivers,  hills,  and  moun- 
tain* occupy  a  large  portion  of  it,  and  mnofa  <>t*  the  rest  would  be  excluded  for  vari- 
ous reasons.  In  the  western  portion,  perhaps  all  but  a  small  part  of  it  would  ho 
excluded  by  mountains  and  drought  Beginning  a<  a  point  midway  between  the oue 
hundredth  and  one  hundredth  and  first  meridian,  as  indicated  by  the  dotted  line, 

beets  could  be  grown  only  In  exceptional  places  without  Irrigation.    <>n  the  Pacific 

coast  only  tli.it  portion  of  the  zone  lying  near  the  ocean  will  be  found  suitable  for 
hi  (  I  culture. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  are  many  localities  lying  outside  the  indicated  bolt, both 
north  and  south,  where  doubtless  the  sugar  heel  will  he  found  to  thrive.  The  map, 
therefore,  must  he  taken  to  Indicate  only  in  a  general  way  those  localities  at  or  near 
which  we  should  expect  success  to  attend  the  growth  of  sugar  beets  in  the  mosl 
favorable  conditions  other  than  temperature  alone. 

The  present  map  (Plate  1)  gives  in  greater  detail  than  ever  before 
the  boundaries  of  this  thermal  belt,  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  the 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  37 

observations  of  the  TTeather  Bureau  have  been  more  numerous,  and 
have  been  compiled  in  a  more  systematic  manner.  It  would  be  idle  to 
assert  that  subsequent  observations  of  the  Weather  Bureau  may  not 
change  in  a  marked  degree  the  boundaries  of  the  belt  which  has  been 
mapped.  It  is  also  quite  true  that  the  agricultural  surveys  which  will 
be  conducted  by  the  several  States  will  locate  definitely,  beyond  the 
limits  already  outlined,  the  areas  where  successful  beet  culture  will  be 
practiced.  I  may  venture  the  prediction,  however,  that  these  areas 
will  be  contiguous  to  the  zone  which  is  already  mapped  out,  and  that 
the  future  beet-sugar  industry  of  the  United  States,  when  it  shall  have 
reached  a  magnitude  sufficient  to  supply  to  our  people  a  large  part  of 
the  sugar  they  consume,  will  be  located  almost  entirely  within  the  areas 
which  have  thus  been  traced. 

DATA  FROM  DIFFERENT   STATES. 

Two  methods  of  collecting  the  data  from  States  have  been  pursued. 
In  the  first  place,  those  receiving  seeds  directly  from  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  were  supplied  with  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  52,  giving 
instructions  for  preparing  the  soil,  and  planting  and  cultivating  the 
beets.  Each  person  was  also  supplied  with  a  series  of  blanks  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  cultural  and  climatic  data,  and  for  securing  as 
great  accuracy  as  possible  in  the  reports  which  were  made.  The  data 
blanks  used  are  represented  in  the  following  forms: 

United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 

Washington,  D,  C,  August  15,  1897. 

Directions  for  Taking  Samples  of  Sugar  Beets  for  Analysis. 
Prepared  by  H.  W.  Wiley,  Chief  of  Division  of  Chemistry. 

When  the  beets  appear  to  be  mature  (September  15  to  November  15,  according  t^ 
latitude  arid  time  of  planting)  and  before  any  second  growth  can  take  place,  select 
an  average  row  or  rows,  and  gather  every  plant  along  a  distance  which  should  vary 
as  follows,  according  to  the  width  between  rows: 
From  rows   16"  inches  apart,  length  75 

feet. 
From  rows   13  inches  apart,  length  66 


feet. 
From  rows  20  inohes  apart,  length  59 
feet. 


From  rows  22  inches  apart,  length  54* 

feet. 
From  rows  24   inches  apart,  length  50 

feet. 
From  rows  28  inches  apart,  length  42T9(J 

feet. 


The  beets  growing  in  the  row,  of  the  length  above  mentioned,  are  counted.  The 
tops  are  removed,  leaving  about  an  inch  of  the  stems,  the  beets  carefully  washed 
free  of  all  dirt  and  wiped  with  a  towel.  Where  the  row  is  not  long  enough  to  meet 
the  conditions,  take  enough  from  the  adjacent  row  or  rows  to  make  up  the  required 
length.  Rows  of  average  excellence  must  be  selected;  avoid  the  best  or  poorest. 
Throw  the  beets  promiscuously  in  a  pile  and  divide  the  pile  into  two  parts.  Tnis 
subdivision,  of  one-half  each  time,  is  continued  until  there  are  about  ten  beets  in  a 
pile.  From  these  ten  select  two  of  medium  size.  Be  careful  not  to  select  the  largest 
or  smallest. 


38 


BEET -SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


From  all  of  the  rest  of  the  beets,  save  these  two,  the  necks  are  removed  with  a  sharp 
knife  at  the  point  indicated  by  the  dotted  line  in  the  figure  (rig.  1).  The  beets, 
including  the  two  saved  as  a  sample,  are  then  weighed. 

The  number  of  beets 
harvested  multiplied 
by  435.6  will  give  the 
total  number  per  acre. 
The  total  weight  of 
beets  harvested  multi- 
plied by  435.6  will  give 
the  yield  per  acre. 

Wrap  the  two  sam- 
ple beets  carefully  in 
soft  paper,  and  write 
your  name  legibly 
thereon.  The  beets 
must  be  perfectly  dry. 
Fill  out  the  blank  de- 
scribing the  beets,  in- 
close it  in  the  envelope, 
and  sew  it  up  in  the 
bag  with  the  beets. 
Attach  the  inclosed 
shipping  tag  to  the 
bag  and  Bend  the  pack- 
age by  mail. 

N<>  beets  w  ill  be  ana 
lyzed    which    are    not 
sampled    as    described 
above     and     properly 
identified. 

Miscellaneous  anal- 
yses of  samples  with- 
out accurate  descrip- 
tion are  of  no  value. 

Blanks  are  sent  to 
each  one  lor  t  \\  0  Bets 
of  samples.  From  two 
to  t'oni;  weeks  should 
elapse  between  t  lie 
times    (.|     ^ending    t  ho 

tw<>  sets  of  samples. 
I  f  additional  analy- 
ses be  desired,  other  blanks  will  be  sent  on   application,  but   not   more   than    four 
analyses  can  be  made  for  any  one  person,  excepl  in  Bpeoial  oases. 

A  model,  showing  how  blanks  should  be  filled  out,  is  inclosed. 


Fio.  l.—  Indicating  point  ;it  which  lop  <>f  beet  Bbould  he  cut  off. 


I  Model  B.] 
r.   s.   DKPABTM1  NT  Ol     kORICULI  I  KM. 

Mmn.i    FOB    1>i  -rianiv.   Swti'ii    Ol    BUOAH    I'.mis. 

i'i.  pared  by  E.  w  .  w  n.i  v.  Chief  ol  Division  of  <  Ihemistry. 
Variety :  Kleinwanzlebener. 
Date  planted:  May  ::.  1897. 

Date  thinned  :  June  :;.  1897. 

Date  harvested :  November  o,  L897 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


39 


Character  of  soil :  Black  prairie  loam ;  in  cultivation  for  20  years,  chiefly  in  corn ; 
level,  tile-drained;  last  crop,  oats;  no  fertilizer  was  used;  barnyard  manure  applied 
in  1895. 

Character  of  cultivation  (dates,  implements,  etc.):  Plowed  November,  1896,  8 
inches  deep,  subsoiled  6  inches;  harrowed  with  disk  harrow  May  1,  1897;  rolled; 
seed  planted  with  hand  drill  one-half  inch  deep;  plants  up  May  16;  stand  excellent; 
hoed  by  hand  May  22 ;  plowed  with  horse  hoe  May  28  and  June  8,  16,  24,  July  3,  10, 
and  17. 

Length  of  row  harvested  (feet) :  66. 

Width  between  rows  (inches) :  18. 

Number  of  beets  harvested :  88. 

Total  weight  of  beets,  less  necks  and  tops  (pounds) :  88. 

Weather  for  each  month:  May,  dry;  June,  copious  rains;  July,  fine  growing 
weather;  August,  hot  and  dry;  September,  dry  until  the  24th,  when  a  heavy  rain 
fell. 

State:  Iowa. 

Post-office :  Hanover,  Buena  Vista  County. 

Date :  November  17,  1897. 

Name :  Robert  Simpson. 

Note.— Beets  will  not  be  analyzed  unless  accompanied  with  description  as  above. 

It  is  evident  that  in  promiscuous  experimentation  of  this  kind,  even 
when  directions  are  closely  followed,  and  when  all  the  operations  are 
conducted  in  accordance  with  the  directions  in  Farmers'  Bulletin  No. 
52,  and  the  procedure  described  in  the  blanks  for  taking  samples  faith- 
fully followed,  the  data  are  still  of  an  unsatisfactory  nature.  For 
iustance,  when  a  plot  of  beets  has  been  harvested  and  quartered  until 
the  two  beets  required  for  a  sample  have  been  selected  in  accordance 
with  directions,  we  still  have  an  uncertainty  prevailing  as  to  whether 
the  two  beets  correctly  represent  the  whole  lot.  In  fact,  it  is  well 
known  that  the  variations  in  the  character  of  beets  grown  side  by  side 
are  very  great,  far  more  so  than  is  the  case  with  sugar  canes.  As  an 
illustration  of  this,  the  following  analyses,  giving  the  weight  and  sugar 
content  of  every  beet  grown  in  a  row  at  the  experiment  station  of 
Kentucky,  is  sufficient  evidence : 


Analyses  of  all  the  beets  in  a 

row t  Kentucky  station. 

Serial 

Weigbt 

after 
topping. 

Sucrose 

Serial 

Weigbt 

a/ter 
topping. 

Sucrose 

Serial 

Weigbt 

after 
topping. 

Sucrose 

No. 

in  beets. 

No. 

in  beets. 

No. 

in  beets. 

Ounces. 

Per  cent. 

Ounces. 

Per  cent. 

Ounces. 

Per  cent. 

1985 

27 

7.7 

2009 

8 

8.2 

2033 

10 

8.1 

1986 

25 

"     9.9 

2010 

4 

9.3 

2034 

10 

7.2 

1987 

24 

10.4 

2011 

1 

9.9 

2035 

12* 

9.1 

1988 

24 

10.6 

2012 

1 

10.5 

2036 

11 

9.0 

1989 

20 

8.6 

2013 

2 

9.6 

2037 

11 

9.8 

1990 

20 

7.9 

2014 

H 

10.9 

2038 

9 

8.8 

1991 

28 

6.7 

2015 

3* 

9.9 

2039 

9 

7.4 

1992 

31 

9.0 

2016 

34" 

8.2 

2040 

8 

9.7 

1993 

18 

10.4 

2017 

27 

7.0 

2041 

11 

8.9 

1994 

24 

9.0 

2018 

20 

9.3 

2042 

8 

9.3 

1995 

53 

4.8 

2019 

8 

11.9 

2043 

9 

6.9 

1996 

19 

8.2 

2020 

16 

6.2 

2044 

8 

10.4 

1997 

33 

2.6 

2021 

22 

8.0 

2045 

7 

9.4 

1998 

16 

9.9 

2022 

15 

6.8 

2040 

5 

8.2 

1999 

2 

10.7 

2023 

20 

9.8 

2047 

4 

8.4 

2000 

2 

8.8 

2024 

26 

9.0 

,     2048 

5 

8.6 

2001 

2 

it.  ti 

2025 

16 

9.4 

2019 

4 

8.7 

2002 

13 

8.9 

2026 

18 

9.7 

2050 

4 

10.5 

2003 

8 

9.6 

2027 

18 

6  6 

2051 

4 

9.3 

2004 

12 

11.0 

2028 

15 

8.6 

2052 

3 

10.7 

2005 

6 

10.5 

2029 

11 

9.3 

2053 

2 

12.  2 

2006 

3 

11.1 

2030 

17 

4.9 

2054 

1* 

10.  ti 

2007 

5 

10.6 

2031 

12 

6.8 

2055 

1 

9.9 

2008 

11 

10.2 

2032 

12 

6.9 

2056 

1ft 

11.2 

40  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  great  variations  which  exist,  both  in  size  and  quality  of  beets, 
are  most  strikingly  shown  by  the  above  figures.  The  variation  in  size- 
extends  from  1  to  53  ounces,  and  in  sugar  content  from  2.6  to  12.2  per 
cent.  When,  however,  it  is  considered  that  all  overgrown  and  under- 
grown  beets  are  rejected  in  taking  the  samples,  and  only  those  of 
medium  size  and  perfect  form  selected,  it  is  evident  that  the  chances 
of  the  sample  representing  fairly  the  average  of  the  whole  lot  are  very 
much  improved.  Even  granting  this,  however,  it  is  unsatisfactory  to 
depend  upon  the  analysis  of  two  or  three  samples  alone  for  determin- 
ing the  character  of  the  whole  plot.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  on 
account  of  the  nature  of  the  method  of  investigation  and  the  undesira- 
bility  of  burdening  the  mails  with  too  many  samples,  it  is  impracticable 
to  do  better  than  has  been  done  in  this  matter.  The  analyses  of  all  of 
the  samples  which  were  sent  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  from 
each  of  the  States  and  Territories  are  given  in  the  tables  which  are 
found  farther  along.  For  convenience  of  reference,  the  analyses  are 
tabulated  by  counties  in  each  case. 

The  second  method  of  collecting  data  was  through  the  cooperation 
of  the  agricultural  experiment  stations.  To  facilitate  this,  the  Secre- 
tary of  Agriculture  appointed  the  directors  of  these  stations  special 
correspondents  of  the  Department  for  distributing  the  seed  and  collect- 
ing the  beets  for  analysis.  The  analyses  were  made  by  the  chemists 
of  the  several  stations,  and  they  are  given  below,  grouped  under  the 
various  States.  Where  the  cooperation  of  the  agricultural  experiment 
stations  was  secured,  the  reports  are  given  by  the  director  or  officer  in 
charge.  Inasmuch  as  the  details  of  these  analyses  are  published  by  the 
various  stations,  including  the  names  and  residences  of  the  persons 
who  grew  the  beets,  in  the  present  report  only  the  averages  of  the 
analyses  by  counties  or  sections,  together  with  such  observations  as 
have  seemed  desirable,  are  given.  The  reports  of  the  directors  and 
other  officers  in  charge  contain  much  interesting  material,  and  in  some 
cases  are  given  without  abbreviation. 

DATA  OBTAINED  IN  THE  LABORATORY  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF 

AGRICULTURE. 

The  analytical  data  obtained  during  the  season  of  1897  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  have  been  classified  as  follows: 

The  data  obtained  from  each  State  or  Territory  collected  by  counties 
or  sections  and  the  general  average  for  each  county  are  as  follows: 

The  analytical  tables  Bhowing  the  data  of  the  Department  samples 
contain  the  names  of  the  states  and  counties  arranged  alphabetically. 
The  aame  of  each  county  is  followed  by  a  symbol  in  the  shape  of  a 
square  to  designate  the  position  of  the  county  in  the  state.    The  plain 

Square  Shows  that  the  county  is  situated  in  the  central  portion,  while  a 
Btraight  line  attached  to  the  center  of  the  top  of  the  square  shows  the 
county  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State;   attached  in  a  diagonal 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  41 

direction  to  the  upper  right-hand  corner,  that  it  is  in  the  northeastern 
portion  of  the  State;  attached  to  the  center  of  the  right  side,  shows  it 
is  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State;  attached  to  the  lower  right-hand 
corner,  that  it  is  in  the  southeastern  portion;  attached  to  the  center  of 
the  lower  side  of  the  square,  that  it  is  in  the  southern  part;  to  the 
lower  left-hand  corner,  in  the  southwestern ;  to  the  center  of  the  left- 
hand  side  of  the  square,  in  the  western  part,  and  to  the  upper  left-hand 
corner,  in  the  northwestern. 

The  tables  also  state  the  number  of  samples  received  from  each 
county,  the  average  weight  of  the  samples  in  ounces,  the  average  per 
cent  of  sugar  in  the  beet,  the  average  purity  coefficient  of  the  juice, 
and  the  maxima  and  minima  percentages  of  sugar  in  the  juice  and 
the  coefficients  of  purity. 

In  many  cases  the  quantity  of  juice  was  too  small  to  compute  the 
purity  in  the  usual  way,  and  in  others  the  low  percentage  of  sugar 
rendered  the  ascertainment  of  the  purity  unnecessary.  These  two  rea- 
sons account  for  the  omission  in  many  instances  of  the  number  express- 
ing the  purity  of  the  juice. 

CAUTIONS  REGARDING  THE   VALUE   OF   THE  DATA. 

It  is  highly  important  that  the  persons  using  the  analytical  data 
contained  in  the  following  tables  be  cautioned  in  regard  to  the  value 
which  should  be  attached  thereto.  It  is  evident,  in  the  first  place, 
that  samples  which  have  been  grown  in  such  a  promiscuous  way  as 
those  received  by  the  Department,  in  so  many  different  characters  of  soil, 
under  so  many  different  climatic  conditions,  and  with  such  variable 
culture,  water  supply,  and  fertilizing  materials,  must  lack  that  uni- 
formity of  value  which  should  characterize  scientific  data  in  general. 
Attention  has  already  been  called,  moreover,  to  the  fact  that  the  few 
samples  of  beets  which  have  been  sent  can  not  be  regarded  as  exactly 
representing  the  whole  mass  of  which  they  originally  formed  a  part. 
The  variations  in  individuals  are  so  great  under  practically  identical 
conditions  as  to  render  somewhat  doubtful  data  which  are  based  upon 
a  few  samples  alone.  For  instance,  in  the  comparison  of  different 
States  in  respect  of  sugar-producing  qualities,  it  may  be  that  one 
State  is  represented  by  perhaps  less  than  50  samples,  while  others  may 
have  500  or  1,000.  In  such  cases  the  average  of  the  50  samples  does 
not  in  any  way  present  such  convincing  data  as  the  average  of  1,000. 
The  greater  the  number  of  samples  examined,  the  more  nearly  will 
the  disturbing  influences  of  individuals  be  eliminated.  When  it  comes 
to  a  comparison  of  the  counties  in  the  several  States,  the  same  remarks 
are  true.  In  many  instances  a  county  may  be  represented  by  a  single 
sample.  It  may  be  that  the  sample  is  extremely  good  or  extremely  poor. 
In  neither  case  is  it  representative.  It  would  be  unjust,  therefore,  to 
compare  a  county  with  one  sample  with  another  from  which  50,  100,  or 
200  samples  have  been  received.     Even  in  the  averages  representing 


42  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

the  samples  from  a  single  county  or  locality  care  must  be  taken  not  to 
be  misled.  The  samples  may  include,  for  instance,  a  very  small  beet 
with  an  excessive  sugar  content,  or  a  very  large  one  with  a  deficient 
sugar  content.  In  case  only  two  or  three  samples  constitute  the  whole 
number,  the  influence  of  these  abnormal  samples  is  raised  to  a  maximum. 
As  an  illustration  of  this,  the  analysis  of  samples  from  Clinton  County, 
111.,  may  be  cited  as  a  type  of  many  others.  Three  samples  were  received 
from  this  county,  the  average  weight  of  which  was  13  ounces,  and  the 
average  sugar  content  15.7  per  cent.  One  of  these  samples,  however, 
weighed  only  4  ounces,  and  had  the  abnormal  sugar  content  of  21.2  per 
cent.  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  average  percentage  of  sugar  in 
the  three  samples  is  very  much  higher  than  it  would  have  been  had  they 
all  been  normal  in  size. 

Another  point  must  not  be  forgotten,  and  that  is,  granting  that  the 
samples  of  any  locality  are  representative,  they  represent  only  one 
season.  That  season  may  have  been  peculiarly  favorable  or  unfavorable, 
and  hence  no  section  should  be  judged  by  the  results  of  a  single  year's 
experiment.  The  reader  who  wishes  to  study  critically  the  data  which 
follow  must  take  all  these  facts  into  consideration,  and  the  judgment 
which  he  may  form  in  regard  to  any  particular  section  must  be  sub- 
ject to  the  rectifications  indicated  by  the  variable  factors  mentioned 
above. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES 


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56  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 

STUDY   OF   THE  ANALYTICAL  DATA. 

Iii  farther  elucidation  of  the  data  contained  in  the  preceding  tables 

a  brief  discussion  of  them  for  each  State  is  appended,  supplemented 

by  a  summary  of  those  secured  by  the  experiment  stations  in  the 

several  States. 

Arizona. 

The  samples  from  Arizona  consist  of  one  from  Apache  County,  and 
six  from  the  agricultural  experiment  station  in  Pima  County.  In  the 
foregoing  tables  the  averages  of  weight  are  given ''to  the  nearest  ounce 
to  avoid  the  fractions  of  an  ounce,  which  would  necessarily  increase  the 
space  required  for  printing.  Inasmuch  as  the  weight  of  the  cut  beet  is 
so  easily  varied  by  a  slight  difference  of  the  position  of  the  knife  in  cut- 
ting, it  is  evident  that  this  method  of  estimation  is  practically  sufficient. 

In  the  analytical  data  obtained  from  Arizona,  as  will  be  seen  by 
referring  to  the  preceding  data,  the  mean  weight  of  the  beets  examined 
was  23  ounces  and  the  meau  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  samples  9.3. 
On  account  of  the  poor  quality  of  the  beets,  the  purity  of  the  juices  was 
not  determined.  The  highest  observed  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
was  12  and  the  lowest  7.G. 

The  following  report  of  his  investigations  and  observations  in  regard 
to  the  sugar  beets  grown  in  Arizona,  during  the  season  of  1897,  was 
made  by  Robert  H.  Forbes,  chemist  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station  of  Arizona. 

RESULTS  OF  EXPERIMENTS  WITH  SUGAR  BEETS  IN  ARIZONA  FOR  1897. 
By  R.  H.  FORBES,  Chemist. 

Briefly  stated,  the  average  for  157  analyses  of  beets  from  all  over  the  Territory  is 
8.56  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  purity  of  61.8.  At  first  glance  these  are 
discouraging  figures  indeed,  but  taken  as  they  stand  they  are  misleading,  and  their 
true  significance  can  only  be  gotten  at  by  examining  the  whole  series  of  analyses 
for  differences  due  to  the  effect  of  such  important  factors  as  care  and  skill  in  grow- 
ing, different  kinds  of  soil,  differences  of  climate  found  in  various  localities  and  at 
different  times  of  the  year,  and  the  variety  of  beets  planted. 

In  order  to  show  the  results  of  careful  cultivation  upon  tho  quality  of  the  beets, 
I  have  divided  t  he  samples  received  from  Salt  River  Valley  into  three  lots. 

The  firsl  Lot  consists  of  L3  samples  grown  by  l>r.  Claflinon  the  experimental  sub- 
station grounds  near  Phoenix.  These  beets  were  given  the  most  excellent  care. 
The  second  lot  consists  of  24  samples  obtained  from  lii  growers  near  Phmnix,  Glen- 
dale,  and  Mesa.     These  beets  received  a  fair  amount  of  care  during  growth,  but  on 

t  he  average  were  probably  not  as  carefully  at  tended  to  as  l  >r.  Claflin's  L8  samples.   The 

third   lot  consists  of  CO  samples  from  the  same  localities,  but  which  were  cured  for 

scarcely  al  all  excepting  for  an  occasional  irrigation.  The  results  speak  for  them- 
selves. Dr.  Claflin's  LS  samples  averaged  L1.23  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  j nice  with 
a  purity  of  68.8.  The  24  cultivated  samples  from  bther  growers  averaged  9.42  per 
eent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  puritj  of  66.8.    The  60  negleoted  samples  gave  8.36 

pel  eent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,   with  a  purity  of  53.4. 

These  figures  confirm  the  well-known  faol  that  Intelligent  and  skillful  care  is 

I  ntial  in  beet  culture;  more  so,  I  dare  say,  than  in  the  production  of  any  other 
great  staple,  and  careless  or  ignorant  treatment  of  our  vegetable  thoroughbred  will 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


57 


inevitably  end  in  disaster.  The  sugar  beet  is  no  exception  to  the  well-known  rule 
that  plants,  which  have  been  developed  through  cultivation,  if  neglected  or  allowed 
to  run  wild,  quickly  return  to  their  former  primitive  condition. 

Because  of  the  unusual  facility  with  which  the  sugar  beet  returns  to  its  former 
unprofitable  condition,  it  is  evident  that  beet  culture  is  a  high  art,  and  in  this  coun- 
try the  more  intelligence  is  required  in  its  treatment  because  the  conditions  are  in 
many  ways  unusual,  and  the  rules  which  are  successfully  applied  in  other  countries 
must  be  changed  or  modified  here. 

In  a  general  way,  however,  we  may  insist  that  deep  and  thorough  preparation  of 
the  soil,  careful  irrigation,  and  repeated  cultivations  and  hoeings  as  long  as  the 
crop  will  permit  are  no  less  essential  here  than  elsewhere. 

The  effect  of  climate  is  also  perceptible  in  our  analyses.  Samples  have  been 
received  from  St.  Johns,  St.  Joseph,  Holbrook,  Duncan,  Buckeye,  Thatcher,  Skull 
Valley,  Tombstone,  Taylor,  Fort  Thomas,  and  other  more  elevated  or  more  northerly 
points.  Almost  without  exception,  the  beets  from  these  places  were  much  above  the 
average  in  richness  and  purity.  The  richest  samples  we  have  as  yet  received  came 
from  St.  Joseph  and  contained  16.3  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  purity  of 
81 ;  17  samples  received  from  the  above  places  averaged  12.37  per  cent  of  sugar  in 
the  juice,  with  a  purity  of  75.5. 

In  order  to  make  the  comparison  more  rigid,  we  select  the  Kleinwanzlebener 
variety  only  from  among  them,  and  find  that  7  samples  average  12.4  per  cent  sugar, 
with  a  purity  of  76.3,  as  against  10.22  per  cent  sugar  and  a  purity  of  67.82  for  this 
same  variety  in  Salt  River  Valley. 

Knowing  the  great  influence  of  temperature  upon  the  composition  of  the  beet,  it  is 
difficult  to  lay  these  differences  to  any  other  cause  than  the  cooler  temperature  of 
these  higher  and  more  northerly  localities. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  arable  land  is  so  scarce  in  these  parts  of  the  Territory. 
Our  observations,  however,  may  guide  us  in  obtaining  better  results  in  warmer 
localities,  and  in  this  way:  Most  of  the  Salt  River  Valley  plantings  were  made  in 
March  and  April,  so  that  almost  from  the  start  the  plants  were  subject  to  the  hot 
fu  mer  weather,  the  temperature  throughout  the  months  of  June,  July,  August, 
ami  September  being  much  above  the  point  generally  regarded  as  most  favorable 
to  sugar  beets.  Now,  it  is  possible  that  by  planting  earlier  in  the  year  a  cooler 
temperature  maybe  secured  for  the  first  three  or  four  months  of  the  life  of  the 
plants.  Of  course  the  risk  from  frost  will  be  increased,  but  that  there  is  some  possi- 
bility of  success  in  the  plan  is  suggested  by  the  fact  that  on  June  14  we  analyzed  a 
sample  of  beets  from  Fowler  Brothers,  near  Phoenix,  which  gave  15.2  per  cent  of 
sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  purity  of  76.  The  seed  for  this  lot  was  planted  Feb- 
ruary 12  and  the  beets  were  probably  not  mature. 

We  can  not  safely  draw  conclusions  from  a  single  instance,  but  the  high  percentage 
and  purity  in  this  extremely  early  sample  are  suggestive  of  the  possible  advantage 
in  early  planting. 

Selecting  the  Kleinwanzlebener  beets  received  from  the  northern  places  and  com- 
paring them  with  those  obtained  from  Phoenix,  Glendale,  Tempe,  and  Mesa,  in  the 
Salt  River  Valley,  we  obtain  the  following  results: 


Showing  effect  of  climate 


Kleinwanzlebener : 

From  more  northerly  or  elevated  localities.  14  samples  . . 
From  Salt  River  Valley,  18  samples 


Average 
weight 
of  beets. 


Ounces. 
18 
18.2 


Sugar  in 
juice. 


Per  cent. 
13.35 
10.48 


Sugar  in 
beets. 


Per  cent. 
12.35 


Purity  co- 
efficient. 


78.8 
69.5 


The  average  mean  monthly  temperatures  for  Phcenix,  Prescott,  and  Fort  Thomas 
during  several  years  past  are  shown  in  the  following  table.  Phcenix  is  in  the  Salt 
River  Valley,  Prescott  represents  the  cooler  northern  parts  of  the  Territory  from 


58 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY   IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


which  beets  were  received,  and  Fort  Thomas  is  in  the  fertile,  irrigated  portion  of 
Graham  County,  in  Southeastern  Arizona. 

Mean  temperature. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug.  Sept. 

Oct. 

Xov. 

Dec. 

Phoenix 

°F. 
49 
34 
47 

OF. 
54 
38 

48 

°F. 
61 
44 
55 

op 
67 
51 
61 

oF. 
74 
59 
70 

°F. 

82 
66 
79 

°F. 
90 
74 

86 

°F. 
88 
72 
83 

°F. 
80 
65 
75 

°F. 
70 
54 
62 

op 
6i 
42 

49 

°F. 
55 

39 

Fort  Thomas 

44 

Finally,  as  to  the  soil,  it  is  much  more  difficult  to  trace  any  connection  between 
the  quality  of  beets  produced  and  the  numerous  varieties  of  soil,  for  which  this 
region  is  famous  and  on  which  they  have  been  grown.  Fortunately,  however,  we 
have  recently  completed  the  analysis  of  a  series  of  twenty  representative  Salt  River 
Valley  soils  and  certain  general  characteristics  of  the  soils  of  this  region  have  been 
determined. 

From  a  chemical  point  of  view  the  following  statements  may  be  made  about  five 
of  the  most  important  soil  constituents,  viz,  potash,  lime,  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid, 
and  humus. 

Potash  is  everywhere  present  in  abundant  quantities.  We  have  found  from  0.47 
to  1.96  per  cent  in  our  samples,  the  lower  figure  being  ample  for  a  fertile  soil. 

Lime  also  is  present  in  great  sufficiency,  the  samples  showing  from  0  57  to  4.2  per 
cent. 

Nitrogen,  however,  is  deficient  almost  everywhere,  the  average  for  the  series  being 
0.048  per  cent,  and  in  only  two  instances  rising  above  0.10  per  cent,  which  is  con- 
sidered to  be  a  needful  amount  to  insure  nitrogen  fertility. 

This  deficiency  probably  affects  the  richness  of  sugar  beets  less  than  it  does  their 
size.  It  is  well  known  that  an  excess  of  nitrogen  produces  beets  of  an  enormous 
size,  but  of  very  poor  quality.  In  one  instance  we  received  a  beet  weighing  5 
pounds,  which  had  been  grown  on  heavily  mauured  and  abundantly  irrigated  soil. 
The  sample  gave  only  1.7  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  purity  of  23.  This 
result  was  probably  due,  in  part  at  least,  to  excessive  nitrogen. 

Tlif  small  average  size  of  the  beets  received,  however,  points  to  a  poverty  of  nitro- 
gen in  the  soil  for  this  crop.  This  will  hold  for  other  crops  as  well  as  beets,  and  I 
am  told  that  in  one  case  near  here  two  neighboring  orange  orchards  were  planted, 
one  on  virgin  mesa  soil,  the  other  on  plowed  alfalfa  ground.  It  is  stated  that  the 
latter  orchard  has  prospered  far  more  than  its  neighbor.  This  was  doubtless  due  to 
the  nitrogen  which  alfalfa  and  other  leguminous  crops  contribute  to  the  soil.  In 
selecting  beet  ground,  therefore,  other  things  being  equal,  it  would  be  well  in  this 
region  to  choose  that  which  has  previously  been  in  alfalfa. 

In  support  of  this  view  I  would  state  that  Dr.  Clallin's  samples  were  grown  on 
ground  that  had  previously  been  in  alfalfa,  so  that  his  excellent  record  may  have 
been  due  in  part  to  this  cause. 

Phosphoric  acid  is  usually  present  in  sufficiency,  though  never  very  abundant. 
In  BOOM  Oases  a  serious  lack  of  phosphoric  acid  has  been  noted.     The  average  for  tho 

\  all.  v  is  (i  IS  per  cent.  It  is  stated  that  the  effect  of  phosphoric  acid  in  beet  culture 
is  to  increase  the  sngar  and  hasten  maturity,  it  is  supplied  to  advantage  in  connec- 
tion with  nitrogen,  this  combination  tending  to  increase  the  size  of  the  beets  and 
also  maintain  their  richness. 

This  desirable  combination  of  nitrogen   and  phosphoric   acid  is  found  in  guanos 

and  in  bone  superphosphates,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  application  of  these  fer- 
tilizers will,  so  far  as  beet  culture  is  concerned,  greatly  improve  the  soils  of  this 
region.    The  question  of  cost,  of  course,  enters  here,  but  it  Is  one  which  must  in  any 

CaSfl  BOOH  be  solved.  At  Chino,  Cal.,  with  an  exceedingly  fertile  soil,  the  need  of 
commercial  fertilised  is  already  felt,  after  the  lands  having  been  cropped  for  five  or 
six  years. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  59 

Barn  manure  is  of  value  for  beets  only  after  other  crops  have  been  grown  on  the 
land,  and  the  manure  thereby  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the  soil.  If  applied 
just  before  planting  the  beet  seed,  it  will  prove  injurious  both  to  the  stand  of  plants 
and  the  quality  of  the  product. 

Humus,  or  vegetable  matter,  is  deficient  in  all  arid  soils,  our  own  among  the 
number.  Humus  and  lime  are  valuable  largely  because  they  impart  better  tilling 
qualities  to  the  soil,  give  it  greater  water-holding  power,  and  lessen  the  tendency  to 
hardness  when  dry.  Humus  results  from  barn  manure,  and  the  application  of  this 
material  with  suitable  precautions  should  be  beneficial. 

As  to  alkali  and  its  effect  upon  beets,  it  may  be  said  that  when  the  plants  are  once 
established  in  thrifty  growth  they  will  stand  more  alkali  than  most  other  crops.  It 
has  been  observed  also  at  Chino  that  the  quality  of  the  beets  is  not  impaired  by 
alkaline  ground.  It  is  probable,  however,  as  a  matter  of  opinion,  that  young  plants  - 
are  injured  by  the  crust  formed  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  through  the  action  of  alkali, 
and  this  may  account  in  part  for  the  exceedingly  poor  stand  of  plants  obtained  in 
most  of  the  experiments  this  year.  Almost  without  exception,  the  reports  state  that 
the  seed  did  not  come  up  well  or  that  the  young  plants  died.  This  difficulty  may 
possibly  be  overcome  by  planting  earlier  in  the  year,  by  using  more  and  better  seed, 
and  by  taking  more  care  to  keep  the  surface  soil  loose  during  the  germination  of 
the  ^eed  and  the  first  weeks  of  plant  growth.  Salt  River  Valley  is  not  excessively 
alkaline;  much  less  so,  it  is  stated,  than  the  Pecos  Valley  in  New  Mexico,  where  beet 
culture  is  now  attempted. 

So  much  for  the  result  of  one  season's  experimental  work.  The  lessons  we  have 
learned  are  :  (1)  That  here  as  elsewhere  sugar  beets  must  be  grown  with  the  utmost 
care;  (2)  that  the  cooler  portions  of  the  Territory,  so  far  as  observed,  produce 
better  beets  than  the  warmer  localities,  and.  that  experiments  should  be  made  as  to 
what  early  planting  will  do  in  these  warmer  localities;  (3)  that  the  Kleinwanzle- 
bener  variety,  so  far  as  yet  known,  yields  the  best  results  in  Arizona;  and  (4)  that 
the  soils  of  the  valley  stand  in  need  of  nitrogen  and  organic  matter,  possibly  phos- 
phoric acid  also,  and  that  previous  occupation  of  the  ground  with  alfalfa  or  other 
means  of  fertilization  should  be  secured. 

Though  many  of  the  results  are  unfavorable,  the  occasional  successes  that  have 
been  secured  show  that  there  is  ample  reason  for  a  continuance  of  the  work. 

If,  during  the  next  year,  a  half  dozen  first-class  farmers  of  this  valley  will  each 
put  in  an  acre  of  Klein wanzelebener  beets  early  in  the  year,  on  ground  that  has  been 
in  alfalfa,  and  will  care  for  them  as  they  ought  to  be  cared  for,  I  believe  that  we 
may  have  something  much  more  favorable  to  report  on  this  subject. 

Further  details  of  the  above  experiments  with  beets  are  published  in 
Bulletin  No.  26  of  the  Arizona  experiment  station,  issued  in  December, 
1897. 

The  poor  results  obtained  in  Arizona  are  somewhat  surprising, 
although  in  general  it  may  be  said  that  the  climate  of  Arizona  is  too 
warm  for  securing  the  best  results.  The  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Forbes 
in  regard  to  careful  culture  should  be  given  due  consideration.  The 
probabilities  are,  however,  that  inasmuch  as  the  beets  in  Arizona  were 
all  grown  with  irrigation,  the  application  of  the  water  was  of  such 
a  character  as  to  prevent,  in  some  respects,  the  development  of  the 
highest  saccharine  content.  It  may  be  remarked  in  general,  in  regard 
to  the  beets  grown  with  irrigation,  that  much  is  yet  to  be  learned  in 
regard  to  the  manner  of  supplying  the  water,  the  time  at  which  it  is  to 
be  applied,  and  the  quantity  which  is  to  be  used.  It  would  be  expected 
that  the  ideal  conditions  of  moisture  could  be  secured  by  irrigation, 
and  yet  in  practice  the  results  have  not  been  the  most  encouraging. 


60  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

This  lias  been  true  in  regard  to  the  growth  of  beets  in  Utah  and  Xew 
Mexico  under  irrigation.  There  is  no  factor  connected  with  the  sugar- 
beet  industry  which  is  of  more  practical  interest  than  a  careful  study 
of  the  conditions  under  which  irrigated  beets  should  be  grown.  The 
fertile  soils  of  the  arid  regions  are  undoubtedly  able  to  produce  large 
crops  of  beets  under  irrigation,  when  the  proper  conditions  are  under- 
stood. Complaints  have  also  been  made  in  respect  of  the  effects  of 
alkali  upon  beets  in  these  soils,  and  also  of  insect  pests.  It  is  impor- 
tant that  a  study  be  made  of  the  bacteria,  molds,  and  insect  pests  of 
sugar  beets,  together  with  the  effects  of  the  alkali.  After  allowing  for 
-all  these  conditions,  however,  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  Arizona 
data  are  somewhat  disappointing,  and  unless  great  improvement  can 
be  made  there  is  little  prospect  of  the  industry  being  established  on  a 
secure  foundation  in  that  region. 

Arkansas. 

Arkansas  lies  so  far  south  of  the  beet  belt  as  to  make  a  discussion 
of  the  possibilities  of  beet  growing  in  that  vicinity  unnecessary.  Only 
two  samples  were  received  from  the  State,  and  as  might  be  expected, 
these  do  not  show  any  very  favorable  qualities.  A  few  general  remarks 
may  be  made  about  growing  beets  in  warmer  climates  than  those  best 
suited  to  obtaining  the  highest  grade  of  beets,  namely: 

First,  that  it  is  quite  possible  to  get  fine  harvests  of  beets  with 
favorable  tonnage  per  acre, 

Second,  that  it  is  possible  to  grow  beets  containing  quantities  of 
sugar  which  would  have  made  them  valuable  for  manufacturing  pur- 
poses several  years  ago,  before  the  beet  reached  its  present  high  state 
of  development,  and 

Third,  that  such  beets  could  probably  be  grown  with  great  profit  for 
stock-feeding  purposes  in  all  these  localities.  The  full  value  of  the 
beet  and  beet  pulp  will  be  discussed  in  a  separate  portion  of  this  report. 

The  average  weight  of  the  two  samples  received  from  Arkansas  was 
18  ounces,  and  the  average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  11.3  per  cent. 

California. 

California  is  recognizee!  as  the  principal  beel  sugar  producing  State 

in  the  Union.    Only  one  sample  of  beets  was   received   from  this 

State,  and  it  had  B  weight  of  26  ounces  and  contained  16.8  per  cent 
of  sugar.  All  of  the  coast  valleys  of  California  are  favorably  situated, 
in  respect  of  temperature, for  the  production  of  sugar  beets,  and  the 

same  may  be  said  of  certain  lands,  the  limits  of  which  are  not  yet  well 

defined,  in  other  parts  of  the  state.    liven  in  the  Sacramento  Valley,  as 

far  inland  as  the  point  of  junction  with  the  San  Joaquin    River,  where 

the  temperature  is  higher  than  that  considered  best  for  beets,  it  has 

been  found  that  good  beetS  Can  be  grown.  In  experiments  conducted 
on  Union  Island,  near  Stockton,  Cal.,  during  the  years  1884  85,  under 
direction  of  the  chief  chemist  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  very 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  61 

encouraging  results  were  obtained,  both  in  the  quantity  and  the  char- 
acter of  the  beets  produced.  These  beets  were  grown  upon  the  reclaimed 
lands  of  the  delta  of  the  San  Joaquin  at  its  junction  with  the  Sacra- 
mento River.  The  lands  were  protected  from  overflow  by  strong  levees, 
but  the  conditions  were  not  theoretically  the  most  favorable  for  the 
production  of  high-grade  beets. 

Unfortunately,  however,  large  portions  of  the  coast  lands,  by  reason 
of  their  contour,  are  not  well  suited  to  the  cultivation  of  beets.  On 
page  90  of  Bulletin  No.  5  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry,  published  in 
1885,  the  following  observation  is  made:  "In  the  interior  and  eastern 
divisions  of  California  only  the  high  Sierra  regions  have  a  temperature 
low  enough  for  beets,  and  in  that  locality  there  is  no  land  adapted  to  beet 
culture.  The  beet  region  of  California,  therefore,  is  confined  to  the  coast 
valleys.'7  This  statement  may  have  to  be  modified  to  some  extent  by 
reason  of  the  data  mentioned  above  from  Union  Island.  These  obser- 
vations are  corroborated  by  the  analyses  made  by  Director  Hilgard, 
during  1897,  of  beets  grown  in  Sacramento  County.  This  locality  adjoins 
Union  Island,  where  the  experiments  conducted  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  were  made.  The  average  size  of  the  beets  examined  by 
Director  Hilgard  was  satisfactory,  and  the  content  of  sugar  in  the  beets 
was  a  little  over  16  per  cent,  with  a  high  purity  reaching  almost  85  for 
a  whole  series  of  analyses.  These  data  show  that  in  the  Sacramento 
Valley,  at  least  where  the  temperature  is  somewhat  higher  than  that 
regarded  as  most  favorable,  beets  of  fine  sugar-producing  qualities  can 
be  grown.  After  a  careful  personal  study  of  the  climatic  and  soil  con- 
ditions in  California,  made  in  1884,  it  is  stated  on  page  100  of  Bulletin 
No.  5  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry  that  there  are  in  California  about 
5,830  square  miles  of  land  suitable  to  beet  culture,  provided  the  whole 
of  it  could  be  supplied  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water.  Even  if  only 
one-third  of  this  area  should  be  found  eventually  fit  for  the  culture  of 
beets,  it  would  be  possible  for  the  State  of  California  alone  to  produce 
nearly  500.000  tons  of  beet  sugar  and  still  practice  a  proper  rotation  of 
crops.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  beet  sugar  industry  has  been  so 
carefully  studied  in  California,  both  by  the  agricultural  experiment 
station  and  by  those  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar,  it  is  not 
necessary  here  to  dwell  further  upon  the  possibilities  of  its  extension 
in  that  State. 

Colorado. 

The  number  of  samples  received  from  the  State  of  Colorado  at  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  was  174.  The  average  weight  of  the  beets 
received  was  20  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
13.G,  and  the  mean  purity  70.7.  The  conditions  which  obtain  in  Colo- 
rado are  so  different  from  those  of  the  Eastern  States  as  to  warrant  a 
detailed  discussion  of  the  data.  This,  however,  in  the  present  condition 
of  affairs,  would  be  somewhat  premature.  It  is  advisable  to  wait  until 
a  more  thorough  agricultural  survey  of  the  State  be  made,  under  the 
immediate  supervision  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station.     When 


62  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

the  analytical  table  of  the  data  received  from  Colorado  is  consulted,  it 
is  seen  that  most  remarkable  differences  exist  in  the  returns  from  the 
different  counties.  Since  in  most  cases  only  a  very  few  samples  have 
been  received  from  any  given  county,  it  is  not  fair  to  make  any  judgment 
of  the  possibilities  of  any  one  county  from  data  of  so  limited  a  nature. 
The  great  variations  in  altitude  in  the  State,  causing  sharp  differences 
of  temperature,  must  also  be  taken  into  consideration.  In  addition  to 
this,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  the  samples  have  all  been  grown  under 
irrigation,  and  it  is  impossible,  in  such  data  as  are  collected  from  the 
farmers,  to  determine  with  any  certainty  what  the  proper  conduct  of 
the  irrigation  should  be.  In  general,  the  data  are  entirely  satisfactory, 
especially  in  respect  of  content  of  sugar.  As  regards  the  mean  purity 
of  the  juices,  the  data  are  somewhat  unsatisfactory,  since  it  falls  more 
than  three  points  below  the  minimum  of  good  beets.  This  may  be  due 
to  the  great  amount  of  mineral  salts  which  the  soils  of  Colorado  contain, 
and  to  the  well-known  property  of  the  sugar  beet  of  absorbing  these 
salts  from  the  soil.  For  this  reason,  it  may  be  suggested  that  in  many 
cases  cultivation  of  the  sugar  beet  could  be  advantageously  practiced, 
not  alone  on  account  of  the  profit  in  the  beet  itself,  but  because  of  the 
improvement  in  the  soil  which  would  result  from  the  extraction  of  the 
alkaline  materials.  Among  the  counties  where  the  samples  have  been 
somewhat  numerous  and  the  results  most  encouraging  may  be  men- 
tioned Boulder,  lying  to  the  northwest  of  Denver  and  mostly  within  the 
favorable  thermal  area,  where  the  average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
was  over  15,  and  the  purity  nearly  81.  This  most  favorable  result  was 
obtained  with  exceptionally  large  beets,  the  average  weight  of  which 
was  31  ounces.  This  fact  makes  the  data  even  more  valuable  and 
suggestive. 

Another  county  where  the  data  were  extremely  favorable,  although 
the  number  of  samples  was  only  two,  is  Delta,  a  county  lying  within 
the  theoretical  thermal  area,  and  where  the  average  size  of  the  samples 
was  20  ounces,  the  average  content  of  sugar  over  17, and  the  parity  80.5. 

Another  t*a\ orable  result  may  be  reported  from  Garfield  County, 
although  the  average  size  of  the  beets  is  a  little  low.  The  mean  per- 
centage of  sugar  in  the  beets  was  L6.6,  and  the  purity  83.2.  This 
county  also  lies  mostly  in  the  thermal  belt. 

In  contrast  with  the  above  should  be  cited  the  returns  from  Logan 
County,  showing  not  only  small  beets,  but  exceptionally  low  contents 
of  sugar  ;ui<l  purities.  Logan  County,  nevertheless,  is  contained  almost 
wholly  within  the  thermal  belt,  which  is  most  favorable  to  the  growth 
of  beets.     The  poor  results  obtained   must  therefore   be  due  to  causes 

which  are  not  made  known. 

I  ]><>n  th<-  whole,  the  data  from  Colorado  are  exceedingly  encouraging 
;ui<l  lead  to  the  belief  that  there  are  maoj  parts  of  that  State  where, 
with  proper  Conditions  of  tillage  and  irrigation,  the  sugar  beet  industry 
ma\   D€  established  with  profit. 

In  connection  with  the  work  done  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  63 

it  is  interesting  to  consider  the  report  of  the  director  and  chemist  of 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Colorado  at  Fort  Collins: 

BRIEF    REPORTS    REGARDING    SUGAR     BEET    EXPERIMENTS    FOR    THE    YEAR    1897,    AT 
THE    COLORADO    STATE   AGRICULTURAL   COLLEGE. 

Chemical  section. 

The  work  of  the  chemical  department  on  sugar  beets  can  be  summarized  briefly 
as  follows : 

We  began  taking  weekly  samples  on  September  2.  The  varieties  represented  were 
Vilmorin,  two  plots;  Klein wanzlebener,  two  plots;  Leon  Brand,1  one  plot;  and 
Imperial,  one  plot.  The  amount  of  sugar  in  the  beets  was  determined  from  week  to 
week.  We  did  not  find  a  very  rapid  increase  as  the  season  advanced  until  the  beets 
approached  maturity,  when  we  observed  a  sudden  increase  of  about  3.5  per  cent. 
Onr  samples  varied  greatly  in  their  sugar  content,  but  agreed  in  indicating  that  the 
crop  in  this  country  was  not  sufficiently  matured  to  yield  marketable  beets  before 
the  middle  of  October.  The  average  of  the  beets  analyzed  subsequent  to  this  date, 
debarring  one  lot,  the  most  of  which  were  grown  under  unfavorable  conditions,  and 
a  few  samples  which  were  clearly  unmarketable  beets,  is  14  per  cent,  the  range 
being  from  10  per  cent  to  18.25  per  cent  of  sugar.  The  coefficient  of  purity  has 
ranged  from  70  to  89,  and  has  averaged  80.7.  We  believe  the  average  percentage  of 
sugar  given  to  be  high  enough,  but  the  coefficient  of  purity — 80.7 — is  lower  than  the 
actual  coefficient  rather  than  higher.2 

Respectfully  submitted.  William  P.  Headden, 

Station  Chemist. 


Agricultural  section. 
(From  Report  of  the  Director.) 

In  a  general  way  it  can  be  said  that  the  results  of  this  season's  work  are  very  favor- 
able to  the  establishment  of  the  beet-sugar  industry  in  Colorado.  The  following 
figures  are  to  be  judged  iu  the  light  of  the  statements  that  come  from  all  the  beet- 
sugar  manufacturing  States  of  the  Union,  that  the  season  of  1897  was  especially 
unfavorable  to  the  industry.  If  in  this  poor  year  Colorado  can  make  such  a  good 
showing,  what  may  we  expect  of  her  in  ordinary  or  favorable  years? 

The  above  report  of  the  chemist  of  our  Experiment  Station  gives  the  figures  for 
the  beets  raised  on  the  College  Farm.  But  few  analyses  were  made  here  of  beets 
raised  elsewhere,  since  the  failure  to  get  into  our  new  chemical  building  last  fall  left 
the  Chemical  Department  in  poor  shape  for  doing  much  outside  work. 

Practically  all  the  analyses  of  Colorado  beets  not  grown  at  Fort  Collins  were 
made  in  the  Chemistry  Division  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington. 
It  has  seemed  best  to  give  here  merely  a  summary  with  reference  to  our  local 
conditions. 

For  the  purpose  of  sugar-beet  raising  Colorado  may  be  divided  into  live  sections: 

(1)  The  valley  of  the  South  Platte  and  its  tributaries. 

v2)  The  divide  south  of  Denver,  and  the  plains  region  where  beets  are  grown  with- 
out irrigation. 

(3)  The  valley  of  the  Arkansas  River. 

(4)  The  valley  of  the  Grand  River. 

(5)  The  San  Luis  Valley. 

All  these,  except  the  second,  use  irrigation.  There  are  two  features  of  the  raising 
of  sugar  beets  that  require  special  study— namely,  the  quality  of  the  beets  when 
they  are  ripe  and  the  time  of  the  year  when  they  reach  that  degree  of  ripeness.    The 


1  This  variety  is  unknown  to  me. — H.  W.  W. 

2 It  is  not  clear  what  is  meant  by  this  expression. — H.  W.  W. 


64 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


earlier  in  the  season  they  reach  a  profitable  degree  of  sugar  and  purity  the  longer 
season  the  factory  will  have  to  manufacture  the  crop,  and  the  larger  the  amount  of 
crop  that  can  he  handled  by  a  factory  of  a  given  size. 

Many  tests  were  made  of  sugar  beets  dug  in  September,  but  only  a  few  showed 
beets  suited  for  use  in  sugar  making.  Nevertheless,  the  fact  that  a  few  samples, 
even  by  September  18,  exceeded  12  per  cent  sugar  and  a  purity  of  80,  shows  that 
when  our  farmers  are  more  used  to  growing  sugar  beets  they  can  bring  them  to 
maturity  several  days,  and  probably  two  weeks,  earlier  than  the  average  crop  of 
1897.     With  the  first  days  of  October  the  crops  ripened  rapidly. 

The  following  table  presents  a  summary  of  the  season  of  1897,  with  reference  to 
the  quality  of  the  beets,  and  the  time  of  ripening  in  different  parts  of  Colorado: 


Section  of  State. 

Samples  dug  he- 
tween  Oct.  1  and  10. 

Samples  dug  be- 
tween Oct.  10  and  15. 

Samples  dug  after 
Oct.  15. 

Sugar. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

Sugar. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

Sugar. 

Purity  to- 
efficient. 

Tlie  valley  of  the  South  Platte 

Per  cent. 
14.1 
12.5 

80.7 
73.7 

Per  cent. 
14.6 
15.1 
13.1 

81.1 
80.6 
77.9 

Per  cent. 
15.4 
14.8 
15.3 

81  1 

78  3 

>i    'i 

16.3 
13.7 

83.6 
79.2 

The  S;iu  Lnia  Valley 

12.4 

78.5 

14.  8               SO  R 

Idaho. 

The  number  of  samples  received  at  this  laboratory  from  the  State  of 
Idaho  was  only  seven,  representing  two  counties.  The  average  weight 
of  the  beets  received  was  21  ounces,  the  average  content  of  sugar  therein 
15.5  per  cent,  and  the  average  purity  70.4.  Both  in  respect  of  size  of 
the  beets  and  content  of  sugar  the  results  are  very  encouraging.  The 
average  coefficient  of  purity  is  almost  up  to  the  minimum  standard,  and 
doubtless  could  be  improved  later  on.  The  alkalinity  of  the  soil,  which 
has  been  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  lowering  of  the  average  in 
Colorado,  is  doubtless  active  in  Idaho.  There  are  large  areas  in  Idaho 
where  the  thermal  conditions  are  favorable,  but  they  are  detached 
from  the  main  thermal  belt  crossing  the  continent.  There  are  two 
centers  of  thermal  conditions  in  Idaho  which  serve  as  nuclei  for  deter- 
mining the  conditions  most  favorable.  One  of  these  lies  almost  wholly 
in  the  State,  and  Boise  City  may  be  regarded  as  the  renter  of  it,  and 
the  other  extends  into  the  western  and  northern  part  of  the  State  from 
the  State  of  Washington.  In  general,  it  may  be  said  that  the  thermal 
conditions  in  Idaho,  if  they  alone  are  to  be  considered,  are  sufficiently 
favorable  for  the  culture  of  the  beet,  in  so  far  as  the  growing  season  is 
Concerned.  The  data  obtained,  while  meager,  are  Sufficiently  encour- 
aging to  warrant  a  more  thorough  survey  of  the   State,  and  also   the 

belief  that  the  conditions  for  the  successful  establishment  of  the  sugar 

industry  may  be  found  wherever  the  character  of  the  soil,  in  respect  of 
contour  and    fertility,  and   the  facilities  for  irrigation  and  other  factors 

favorable  to  the  growth  of  the  sugar  beet  and  the  manufacture  of 

sugar  can  be  secured.     The  report  of  the  chemist  of  the  station  contains 
much  valuable  information  in  respect  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in  the 

State  of  Idaho,  and  is  herewith  appended: 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  65 

RESULTS    OF    EXPERIMENTS    IN    IDAHO. 

In  the  first  place,  the  results  of  the  past  season  are  q  uite  disappointing  and  unsat- 
isfactory, due  to  several  causes  -which  will  be  eliminated  largely  in  the  experiments 
of  next  year. 

The  climatic  conditions  of  Idaho  are  quite  varied,  the  growing  season  opening 
several  weeks  earlier  in  South  Idaho,  along  the  Snake  River  and  in  the  Boise  Basin, 
than  along  the  Clearwater  or  in  North  Idaho.  The  seed  furnished  gratis  to  this 
station  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  arrived  late,  and  before  it  could  be  dis- 
tributed— May  4  to  June  2 — the  season  was  well  advanced,  hence  the  seed  that  was 
planted  either  failed  of  germination,  or  the  young  plants  were  killed  by  severe 
climatic  changes  of  heat  and  drought,  or  of  cold  and  wet  soil,  which  latter  condition 
prevailed  in  the  Palouse  region.  Much  of  the  seed  sown  in  our  station  plats  failed 
to  grow.  The  stand  was  irregular,  weak,  and  of  poor  quality,  so  that  the  tonnage  per 
acre  could  not  be  estimated  with  any  degree  of  reliability.  It  is  therefore  omitted 
from  the  tables. 

Seed  was  mailed  to  114  farmers,  representing  41  different  sections  of  the  State, 
yet  samples  of  beets  for  analysis  were  received  at  this  Department  from  only  20 
farmers,  representing  13  localities.  This  apparent  apathy  on  the  part  of  our  farmer 
friends  is  explainable  in  part.  In  many  cases  the  seed  did  not  reach  its  destination, 
or  when  planted  it  failed  to  germinate,  or  the  young  plants  were  destroyed  by  insects 
or  jack  rabbits.  In  a  few  cases  there  was  not  sufficient  interest  manifested  in  the 
experiment  to  induce  proper  cultivation  of  the  young  plants,  therefore  no  samples 
worthy  of  shipment  were  grown.  ^ 

Sugar-beet  growing  is  a  new  industry  to  the  American  farmer,  and  he  has  yet  to 
learn  that  the  ordinary  farm  methods  are  not  always  applicable  and  sufficient  to 
grow  and  mature  a  typical  sugar  beet.  The  Idaho  rancher  is  not  an  exception.  He 
has  yet  to  learn  the  value  of  intensive  methods,  from  the  preparation  of  the  seed 
bed  to  the  marketing  of  his  crop.  The  neglect  to  plow  deeply,  to  pulverize  finely, 
to  place  the  seed  with  care,  to  thin  the  plants  judiciously,  to  cut  out  the  weeds, 
withal  to  cultivate  and  hoe  the  growing  plants  regularly,  resulted  in  partial  or 
entire  failure  of  the  experiment.  The  sugar  beet  is  a  thoroughbred,  and  must  be 
given  care  in  keeping  with  its  regal  characteristics  if  high  sugar  content  and  purity 
are  to  be  attained.  The  successful  sugar-beet  grower  has  learned  that  the  sucrose  is 
practically  hoed  into  the  root.  This  knowledge  and  its  application  our  farmers 
evidently  were  not  in  possession  of,  or  the  number  of  samples  forwarded  would  have 
been  greatly  augmented.  It  is  a  matter  of  education,  however,  which  will  be 
overcome  in  time  by  the  dissemination  of  information  through  the  press,  the  station 
bulletin,  and  closer  eompetition  induced  by  immigration  from  older  States,  where 
better  methods  of  farming  prevail. 

The  41  samples  analyzed  averaged  in  sugar  content  15.17  per  cent :  in  purity.  87.55. 
The  20  samples  grown  by  the  Station  gave  in  sugar  15  28  per  cent:  in  purity,  92.55. 
The  21  samples  grown  elsewhere  averaged  15.07  per  cent  of  sugar,  and  82.78  in  purity. 
The  highest  and  lowest  results  ga^e  19  and  10.2  per  cent  in  sugar;  and  95.10  and 
81.81  purity,  respectively. 

OTHER   8UGAB    BEET   DATA   NOT    HITHERTO    GIVEN   TO    THE    GENERAL    PUBLIC. 

During  the  fall  of  1894,  192  analyses  of  sugar  beets  were  made  by  the  Station, 
which  gave  an  average  of  13.7  percent  of  sugar  and  a  purity  of  76.08  degrees.  Some 
of  the  samples  were  large,  others  had  been  frozen,  still  others  were  immature,  while 
a  fw  varieties  were  not  at  all  adapted  to  our  soil  and  climate.  This  reduced  an 
otherwise  much  higher  average.  Excluding  about  20  samples,  the  remainder,  55 
samples  of  Vilmorin's  improved  gave  an  average  of  11.77  percent  of  Bugar  and  a 
purity  of  7.")..").")  degrees. 

Forty-four  samples  of  Kleinwan/lehener  beets  averaged  ll.lt!  per  eent  of  sugar 
with  a  purity  of  82.80. 

Thirty  samples  of  Imperial  averaged  in  BUgar  11.1  pel  cent,  in  purity,  85.42. 

H.  Doc.  396 5 


G6 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Ten  samples  of  French  Red  Top  gave  an  average  of  13. G5  per  cent  of  sugar  with  a 
purity  of  82.70. 

The  average  of  10  samples  of  Lane's  was  13.44  per  cent  of  sugar  with  a  purity  of 
81.69. 

Eight  samples  of  New  Danish  gave  an  average  of  13.83  per  cent  of  sugar  and  a 
purity  of  81.81. 

The  highest  and  lowest  percentages  of  sugar  in  each  variety  were  as  follows: 


Variety. 


Yilmorin's 

EQeinwanzlebener 

Alette.... 

Imperial 


Red  Top 

Danish  . 


Highest. 

Lowest. 

Per  cent. 

1'er  cent. 

16.6 

14.4 

19.6 

14.6 

18.4 

14.6 

18.2 

10.6 

15.7 

10.6 

15.9 

10.7 

15.2 

10.8 

The  places  represented  in  the  experiment  were  the  University  of  Idaho,  Cceur 
d'Alcne,  Sand  Point,  Moscow,  Kendrick,  Lenville,  Princeton,  Cornwall,  Genesee, 

substation  at  Grangeville,  substation  at  Idaho  Falls,  substation  at  Nampa. 
The  average  yield  throughout  the  State  was  estimated  at  20  tons  per  acre.1 

ANALYSES  OF  BEETS  GROWN  IN  1895. 

The  experiments  in  sugar  beets  for  1895  were  covered  by  342  analyses  of  beets 
grown  by  the  University  of  Idaho  and  by  farmers  residing  near  Grangeville,  Nampa. 
Moscow,  Weippe,  Vollmer,  Palouse,  Spokane  Bridge,  Westlake,  Starner,  Newport, 
Balmonn,  and  Paris. 

The  average  sugar  content  of  the  crop  was  15.19  per  cent:  coefficient  of  purity, 
79.91.  In  the  analyses  were  included  15  samples  of  red  or  table  beets.  These  In 
contained  ;m  average  of  13.75  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice  and  a  coefficient  of 
pnrity  of  75.57. 

Several  analyses  were  made  for  the  purpose  of  determining  what  bearing,  if  any, 
the  size  of  the  sample  beei  bad  upon  the  sugar  content  and  purity.  Among  others 
I  select  four  varieties,  and  submit  the  results  without  comment: 

VII.MOK1.VS   IMI'KOVKI). 


Size. 


Weight     Sugarin   Porityco- 


i.  Large... 

•_\  Medium 

:;.    Sim;. 11  ... 


Ounces. 
•J1.4 
15.2 

7.  S 


beei 

/■-  >■  cent. 
14.012 
n  Bl 
L4.07 


7'.'  M 
s  i .  26 


FLORIMOND  DESPREZ. 


1.  Large.. 

2.  M »-«!  i ii ii 


B4.00 


I.  \  M I  s  [MPER]  M 


i    Large... 
2    Medium 

:$.  Siiiaii 


CLEINWANZLEBENEK 


1.  Large... 

2.  Medium 
:\.  Small 


20.  0 

17.il 

l::  (i 

L4.00 
li  ,06 
18.74 

HI.  18 
B4.72 
83.93 

aanal  In  suoh 


ladoubtleaa  too  high.    il.  W.  W. 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY   IN   THE   UNITED    STATES. 


67 


ANALYSES  OF  BEETS  GROWN  IN  1896. 

The  work  of  the  year  was  confined  very  largely  to  the  station,  and  consisted  of  a 
special  effort  in  the  way  of  growing  typical  sugar  beets.  The  effect  of  deep  and 
shallow  plowing,  regular  cultivation,  fertilization,  and  irrigation,  as  compared  with 
the  average  treatment  given  the  root  under  natural  conditions  as  to  soil,  moisture, 
and  cultivation,  was  noted.  The  seed  bed  was  prepared  and  the  seed  sown  from  the 
21st  to  the  30th  of  May.  Very  heavy  rains  prevailed  on  June  5  and  again  on  June 
9.  All  of  the  seed  had  germinated  by  June  11.  The  average  per  cent  of  stand 
June  5  was  10.7;  June  24  it  was  29;  one  month  later  it  had  reached  61.8  per  cent. 
The  crop  was  harvested  and  analyzed  during  October.  The  number  of  analyses 
made  was  60;  the  per  cent  of  sucrose  in  juice  was  14.18;  coefficient  of  purity,  77.30; 
yield  per  acre,  48,510  pounds. 

The  sugar-beet  experiments  connected  with  this  station  during  1894,  1895,  1896, 
and  the  inauguration  of  the  work  of  1897  were  under  the  direction  and  control  of  the 
Agricultural  Department,  the  chemist  being  responsible  only  for  the  analytical  data. 
In  July,  1897,  under  the  redistribution  of  the  powers  of  the  station  staff,  the  rather 
unsatisfactory  data  thus  collected  were  assigned  to  the  chemical  department  for 
compilation  and  publication,  together  with  the  power  of  supervision  of  such  experi- 
ments in  the  future. 

METEOROLOGICAL  RECORD. 

The  better  to  understand  the  possibilities  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in  the  Palouse 
country  of  Idaho,  as  well  as  other  experiments  that  may  hereafter  be  undertaken  by 
the  station  upon  the  "university  farm,"  the  following  meteorological  data  are  included 
in  this  report.  We  are  under  obligations  to  Prof.  J.  E.  Bonebright,  meteorologist  of 
the  station,  for  the  results  tabulated: 

Table  11. — Meteorological  record  for  Moscow. 


Month. 


Maxi-  Mini-       Average 

mum  tern-  mum  tern    tempera- 
perature.  perature.       tare. 


April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

1895 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

1896. 

April 

May 

.1  one 

July 

August 

September 

October 

1897. 

April 

May 

June 

J«iy 

August 

September  — 
October 


76.0 
86.0 
84.0 
93.0 
90.0 
85.0 
74.0 


76.0 
81.0 
90.0 
92.0 
94.  0 
84.  0 
74.0 


68.0 
84.0 

92.  0 
97.0 

93.  o 

K.-).  0 
76.0 


63. 1 
78.8 
0.-).  (J 
82.0 
81.6 
89.  it 
00.4 


25.0 

30.0 

32.0  I 

40.0 

34.0 

32.0 

28.0 


26.0 
30.0 
33.  0 
41.0 
33.  0 
28.0 
21.0 


26.0 
ol.d 
34.(1 
14.0 
38.  0 
30.0 
28.0 


36.  5 
38.8 
46.  0 
48.  5 
40.  t 
38.4 
36.4 


47.40 
57.40 
62.00 
78.00 
70.  50 
58.80 
40.40 


48.10 
51.90 
59.  40 
72.70 
74.50 
49.80 
46.10 


42.53 
46.50 
61.10 
70.41 
07.  17 
54.  65 
46.33 


49.70 


Humid- 
ity. 


Per  cent. 
76.0 
63.0 

74.0 
05.0 
40.0 
72.0 
85.0 


70.0 
68.0 
52.0 
38.0 
47.d 
70.0 
72.0 


53.  80 
70.00 
71.50 
59.  20 


72.2 


77.4 
15  1 
40.  3 
77.6 


Rainfall. 


Inches. 

1.38 

1.53 

1 .  23 

.12 

.25 


1.30 

2.17 

.41 

.90 

.32 

3.33 

Trace. 


3.  60 
2.21 

.17 
1.33 

..-I 
1.07 


.40 

1.20 
•J.  7 'J 
.85 
.  35 
1.07 
1.10 


Days 

lair. 


Days 
clear. 


Days 
cloudy. 


68 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Illinois. 

The  samples  received  from  the  State  of  Illinois  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  were  32  in  number.  The  average  weight  of  the  samples 
was  17  ounces,  percentage  of  sugar  13.1,  and  the  purity  75.5.  Twelve 
of  these  samples  were  from  the  northern,  8  from  the  central,  and  12 
from  the  southern  belt. 

When  judged  by  the  few  samples  analyzed  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture,  it  is  seen  that  Illinois  presents  an  exception  to  the  estab- 
lished rule,  inasmuch  as  the  beets  grown  in  the  northern  belt  are  infe- 
rior to  those  grown  in  the  central  belt.  The  data,  however,  are  not 
numerous  enough  to  base  any  certain  conclusions  upon  them,  and  the 
usual  rule  is  established  from  the  more  numerous  analyses  conducted 
by  the  agricultural  experiment  station,  as  will  be  seen  farther  along. 
Summarized,  the  results  obtained  at  the  Department,  of  Agriculture 
from  the  northern,  central,  and  southern  belts  in  Illinois  are  as  follows: 

Summary  of  analyses  of  sugar  beets  from  Illinois. 
[Compiled  from  analyses  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.] 


Number 
of  sam- 
ples. 

Average 
freight , 

Sugar  in 
beets. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

12 
8 
12 

Ounces. 
19 
20 
13 

Per  cent. 
12.6 
13.8 
13.2 

Tti  2 

76.5 

73. ;{ 

At  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Illinois,  at  Urbana,  312 
samples  of  beets  were  received  and  analyzed.  The  following  summary 
shows  the  analytical   data  and   the  distribution  of  the  samples  by 

counties: 

Summary  of  analyses  of  sugar  beets  from  Illinois,  by  counties. 


County. 


I  III. I.N     HI   I.I 

Stephenson 

Winnebago 

MoHenry 

Carroll 

Whiteside 



I).  kafb "..-""-! 

I  tapage 

Cook 

Rocu  [sland 

Ill  II IV 

Bureau 

LaHfllle     

Kendall    

Grundy  

Will    




<~ 

• 

a 

-    . 

?  <" 

i  j 

5-rf 

-  — 

i! 

•"8 

■~  i 

a 
feJ 

|| 

Y<  ' 

< 

QQ 

Ouneet. 

/'.  ret. 

1 

20 

10.7 

70.0 

2 

18 

13  4 

75.8 

1 

19 

15.1 

i 

•jo 

L8.8 

3]    i 

a 

22 

L8.fl 

70.  2 

8 

28 

;i  a 

- 

10 

L8.8 

B0. 8 

7 

18.  i 

78.3 

1 

21 

16.8 

:! 

24 

I  i    . 

l 

Lfl 

li  D 

•; 

18 

12.7 

78.8 

:t 

88 

L0.5 

HI 

22 

18.  1 

78.  I 

a 

it 

L3.8 

i 

18 

L8.9 

n 

28 

12.0 

i 

17 

12,(1 

( lounty. 


•  i.\  i  i:  u.    r.i  li 

Blankakee 

Benderson 

Knu\    

Stark  

Peoria  

Marshall 

w Iford 

Livingston 

I  roquois  

Eanoock 

Pulton 

Tazewell 

MoL(  in 

Ford 

Aihuiis 

m.i  on    



Dewitl 


as 

=  s 


ID 

-'J 

.9 

C3.fi 

u  w 

< 

Cfl 

r.rrt. 

24 

IJ  '.1 

22 

0.  B 

20 

U.0 

10 

14.4 

'J  4 

L8.0 

18 

n..; 

22 

17 

L4.0 

20 

11. 8 

17 

LO.fl 

17 

1!   2 

20 

12. 8 

•Jl 

12.0 

M 

in  .- 

17 

12.  i 

10 

n   l 

29 

27 

18. 8 

79. :» 
70  B 

7.-..  1 

78.  8 
80.  1 

82.  l 

84.0 

77.1 

77.8 

77.0 
75.  5 

7:;.  7 
60.  8 

81.7 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE   UNITED    STATES. 


69 


Summary  of  analyses  of  sugar  beets  from  Illinois,  by  counties— Continued. 


County. 


CENTRAL   BELT- 

continued. 

Macon 

Piatt  

Champaign 

Vermilion 

Pike 

Scott 

Morgan 

Sangamon 

Christian 

Shelby 

Douglas 

Edgar 

Calhoun 

Greene 

Macoupin 

Montgomery  ... 


-S  P. 

as 


Ounces. 
18 
20 
21 
19 
10 
10 
22 
17 
19 
21 
24 
16 
14 
14 
17 
11 


s 

^.5 

0"° 

w  a 
."S"3 

m 

P4 

Per  ct. 

8.0 

64.9 

12.7 

81.0 

11.7 

79.6 

11.3 

75.2 

9.6 

69.4 

9.7 

64.3 

10.3 

74.3 

11.2 

76.8 

11.8 

76.5 

10.9 

71.9 

11.2 

77.5 

12.1 

74.9 

9.4 

72.1 

8.5 

68.3 

11.6 

72.2 

13.0 

76.9 

County. 


CENTRAL  BELT — 

continued. 
Clark 

SOUTHERN  BELT. 

Effingham 

Madison 

Bond 

St.  Clair 

"Washington 

Jeiferson 

Wayne 

Clay 

Edwards 

Jackson 

Saline 


J5  =- 

-  - 


Ounces. 
11 


u  2 


Per  ct. 
13.6 


12.6 
10.3 
10.3 
12.3 
11.9 
12.1 
14.3 
11.8 

8.7 
10.8 

9.3 


73.9 


74.6 
74.0 
80.8 
77.7 
75.2 
85.0 
77.0 
68.3 
58.7 
73.8 
68.9 


The  average  weight  of  the  beets  received  was  20  ounces,  the  mean 
percentage  of  sugar  therein  11.9,  and  the  mean  purity  76.4.  Distrib- 
uted geographically  into  northern,  central,  and  southern  sections,  we 
find  each  of  the  sections  represented  by  the  number  of  samples  of  the 
mean  average  composition  indicated  in  the  following  summary: 

Summary  of  analyses  of  sugar  beets  from  Illinois. 
[Compiled  from  the  experiment  station  report.] 


Number 

of 
samples. 

Average    Sugar  in  Purity  co- 
weight,        beets.       efficient. 

104 
165 
43 

Ounces.     Per  cent. 

22            13  2              79  3 

Central  belt                          

°0             11  5               75  4 

19             11.1               74  7 

Average,  etc 


312 


re.  4 


Here  we  see  the  regular  rule  illustrated,  and  the  beets  derived  from 
the  northern  are  superior  in  every  respect  to  those  from  the  central  and 
southern  belts.  It  is  evident,  however,  judged  by  the  data  obtained 
during  the  present  year,  that  Illinois  is  not  so  well  adapted  to  the 
growing  of  high  grade  beets  as  some  of  the  States  to  the  east  of  it. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  quite  certain  that,  with  proper  drainage,  scientific 
cultivation  and  fertilization,  and  good  culture,  high-grade  beets  can  be 
grown  in  many  of  the  northern  counties  of  Illinois,  and  it  would  prob- 
ably be  safe  to  say  that  for  a  distance  of  100  miles  from  the  boundary 
between  Wisconsin  and  Illinois  the  sugar-beet  industry  could  be  suc- 
cessfully established  where  the  conditions  of  soil  and  factors  favorable 

to  manufacture  are  suitable. 

Indiana. 

One  hundred  and  three  samples  were  received  at  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  from  the  State  of  Indiana,  representing  several  different 


70  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

parts  of  the  State,  but  mostly  from  the  northern  portions.  The  largest 
number  of  samples,  however,  from  any  one  county  was  from  Vander- 
burg,  in  the  extreme  southwestern  part  of  the  State.  The  average  size 
of  the  beets  from  Indiana  was  small,  the  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
fair,  and  the  purity  a  little  below  the  minimum  for  good  beets.  In 
general,  the  best  beets  were  grown  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  State, 
near  or  in  the  thermal  beet  belt,  although  a  few  samples  received  from 
the  central  and  eastern  parts  of  the  State  were  very  satisfactory. 
Among  the  counties  furnishing  the  largest  number  of  samples  may  be 
mentioned  Henry,  in  the  central  eastern  part  of  the  State,  from  which  8 
samples  were  received,  having  an  average  Aveight  of  1 7  ounces,  contain- 
ing 13.1  per  cent  of  sugar,  with  a  purity  of  78.5.  The  averages  for 
Henry  County  in  sugar  and  purity  were  almost  exactly  those  for  the 
whole  State.  Three  samples  from  Marion  County,  in  the  central  por- 
tion of  the  State,  show  excellent  results,  both  in  percentage  of  sugar 
and  in  purity,  and  having  an  average  size  of  a  pound.  The  best  results 
are  reported  from  Stark  County,  in  the  northwestern  portion  of  the 
State,  where  the  percentage  of  sugar  was  15.7  and  purity  81.8.  The 
beets,  however,  from  this  region  were  small,  the  average  size  being  only 
12.8  ounces.  The  beets  received  from  the  agricultural  experiment  sta- 
tion were  very  much  undergrown,  the  average  weight  being  less  than  7 
ounces.  The  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beets  was  good — 15.1 — and  the 
purity  also  above  the  minimum.  The  causes  of  the  poor  yield  of  beets 
are  discussed  farther  on  in  the  report  of  the  chemist  of  the  station. 
The  largest  number  of  beets  from  any  one  county  was  received  from 
Vanderburg,  namely,  40  samples.  The  people  of  this  county  have  been 
particularly  interested  in  the  industry,  and  especially  to  Mr.  11.  Oordes 
are  we  indebted  for  the  large  number  of  samples  received.  In  spite  of 
the  very  fertile  soil  and  other  favorable  conditions  of  culture,  the  beets 
had  an  average  size  of  only  14  ounces,  and  both  the  percentage  of  sugar 
in  the  beet  and  the  purity  were  below  the  minima.  In  general,  it 
may  be  said  of  Indiana  that  the  northern  portions  of  the  Stale,  where 
th<-  character  of  the  soil  is  favorable,  are  best  suited  to  the  culture  of 
I  he  sugar  beet ,  namely,  those  portions  either  lying  in  the  area  of  favor- 
able thermal  conditions,  or  extending  to  a  varying  distance  to  the 
south  thereof  and  covering  the  greater  portion  of  the  northern  pari  of 
the  State.  The  Central  Counties  Of  the  State,  judged  by  the  few  sam- 
ples received,  may  also  be  expected  bo  grow  beets  of  fair  quality,     a 

more  careful   agricultural  survey  of  the   State   is   needed,  and  the  data 

above  are  supplemented  by  the  more  valuable  data  collected  by  the 

agricultural  experiment  station  under  tin-  supervision  of  the  chemist, 
Mr.  II.  A.  Huston. 

NOTES  OM  3UGAB  BEETS  RAISED  in  imuana  in  1897. 

(Prom  Report  of  n.  A.  Huston.) 

The  early  part  <>r  the  season  was  fairly  favorable  to  the  growth  of  the  crop.  In 
manj  oases, however,  tin-  beets  were  planted  quite  Late  and  were  mnofa  below  normal 
Size  when  the  drought  Oaxne  on  in  August.     From  the  middle  of  August  until  the 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


71 


end  of  the  usual  growing  season  very  little  rain  fell.  This  tended  to  produce  beets 
of  high  sugar  content  and  small  size.  The  popular  interest  in  the  subject  has  been 
much  greater  than  in  previous  years  and  a  much  better  return  than  usual  was 
secured  from  the  seed  sent  out. 

At  three  points  in  the  State  parties  are  now  engaged  in  placing  contracts  for 
sufficient  acreage  to  insure  a  tbree  years'  supply  of  beets  for.  a  300-ton  factory. 
Reports  from  these  localities  indicate  that  the  required  acreage  will  be  secured. 

Nearly  all  farmers  who  have  raised  experimental  crops  of  beets  for  the  past  few 
years  report  that  they  believe  the  crop  would  be  a  profitable  one  at  $4  per  ton.  This 
estimate  is  based  solely  on  their  own  experience  with  the  crop. 

The  total  number  of  samples  analyzed  at  the  agricultural  experiment 
station  of  Indiana  was  205.  Arranged  by  counties,  the  following  table 
gives  the  most  important  data  connected  with  the  analyses : 

Tests  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  Indiana  in  1897  under  the  direction  of  the  Indiana  agricul- 
tural experiment  station.     H.  A.  Huston  and  J.  M.  Barrett. 


County. 


Lake"ti 

Porter  ti 

Laporte  tJ  

St.  Joseph  b  - 
Elkhart  rj  -■-• 
Lagrange  ti... 

Starke  ti , 

Newton  tl 

Jasper  "ti 

Allen  ti 

Benton  -a 

White  ti 

Cass  rj 

Wahash  b  -  •  - 
Huntington  ti 

Warren  -a 

Tippecanoe  -d. 
Carroll  D  


flS 


la 

fc-s 


< 


Ozs. 


51 

8.3 

12 

13.7 

22 

9.0 

24 

13.0 

12 

14.8 

12 

16.6 

14 

14.1 

11 

13.7 

2 

17.  9 

23 

13.5 

31 

11.2 

20 

10.3 

17 

12.1 

14 

13.0 

25 

11.8 

18 

12.2 

15 

12.5 

11 

12.4 

u  P 
©  o 
&  o 

s 

s 

ft 


County. 


68.0 

1 

84.0 

2 

64.3 

1 

85.0 

6 

83.6 

7 

87.4 

1 

85.0 

28 

96.4 

1 

84.4 

1 

82.4 

21 

79.6 

3 

66.0 

1 

77.2 

4 

77.8 

4 

78.0 

19 

83.0 

1 

84.6 

8 

82.0 

5 

-  be 

S  P 


Ozs. 

Grant  □  12 

Jay  r> 26 

Fountain -a 31 


Clinton  a 

Boone  d  

Tipton  a   

Madison  □ 

Randolph  o... 

Parke  -a 

Marion  □ 

Hancock  o 

Henry  o- 

Morgan  o 

Greene  p 

Jackson  p  

Vanderhurg  p 


13.6 
13.  3 

10.  I 
13.2 
13.6 
13.5 
9.2 
12.9 
10.2 
12.7 
14.0 
12.9 
13.9 
12.8 
10.0 

10.6 


70.1 
79.  5 
68.6 
83.2 
82.0 
82.3 
70.2 
79.0 
56.  7 
83.5 
87.4 
78.0 
82.8 
84.4 
72.8 
77.7 


Averages,  etc 


17. 8      12. 


As  will  be  seen  above,  nearly  all  the  counties  represented  are  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State.  Only  a  few  counties  are  represented  in  the 
central  and  southern  portions  of  the  State.  Making  an  average  oi 
the  results  from  the  different  counties  by  sections  of  the  State,  it  is 
seen  that  they  vary  considerably,  as  is  shown  in  the  following  summary : 

Summary  of  results. 


Average 
weight. 

Av. 

per  ci m  of 

>iiLr;ir  in 

juice. 

purity 
coefficient 

Number 

Ounces. 
18.9 
18.5 

14.2 

13.3 
12.9 

10.7 

81.9 
78.0 

97 

C7 

41 

72  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IX    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

It  is  seen  that  there  are  considerable  areas  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State  where  both  soil  and  climatic  conditions  are  extremely 
favorable  to  the  culture  of  the  sugar  beet.  The  proximity  of  these 
counties  to  Chicago  insures  a  market  for  all  the  products  of  the  fac- 
tory. In  many  cases  these  counties  are  situated  in  or  near  the  gas  area 
of  the  State,  so  that  fuel  is  comparatively  cheap.  All  of  them  arc 
within  easy  distance  of  the  great  coal  fields  of  Indiana,  and  the  supply 
of  water  and  limestone  is  abundant.  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  all 
the  conditions  favorable  to  the  growth  and  manufacture  of  the  beets 
exist  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  there  is  no  rea- 
son to  doubt  the  speedy  foundation  and  healthy  growth  of  the  industry 
in  that  locality. 

Iowa. 

The  thermal  conditions  for  the  growth  of  beets  in  Iowa  are  favorable 
over  almost  the  whole  of  the  State  from  north  to  south.  The  southern 
counties  are  probably  a  little  too  warm  for  the  best  results,  and  the 
northern  counties  too  much  exposed  to  severe  cold  weather  during 
harvest  time. 

One  hundred  and  thirty  samples  of  beets  were  sent  directly  from 
Iowa  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  analysis. 

In  the  results  as  tabulated  by  counties  it  will  be  observed  that  a 
great  many  of  the  counties  are  represented  by  a  single  sample,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  possible  to  base  any  conclusions  on  the  work  done 
in  respect  of  the  possibilities  of  growth  of  beets  in  such  counties. 
Benton  County  sent  G  samples,  with  an  average  weight  of  1G  ounces; 
13.8  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beet,  with  a  purity  of  76.9.  Clinton 
County  furnished  5  samples.  The  beets  were  very  small,  averaging 
only  11  ounces.  The  content  of  sugar  was  high,  namely,  16.8  per 
cent,  and  the  purity  low,  75.8.  Greene  County  sent  o9  samples  of  good 
size,  namely,  lit  ounces;  father  low  content  of  sugar,  namely,  12.7  per 
cent,  and  a  low  purity,  namely,  7<>..*i.  Guthrie  Count  \  sent  (>  samples  of 
good  size,  namely,  23  ounces;  rather  low  content  of  sugar,  L2.5  percent. 
with  a  purify  of  78.8.  The  averages  for  the  L30  samples  from  the 
Stale  are  as  follows:  Weight,  18  ounces;  sugar  in  beets,  13.3  per  cent; 
purity,  7.',».7. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  the 
State,  in  cooperation  with  this  Department,  a  large  number  of  samples 

of  seed  was  distributed,  and   GIL*  samples  of  beets  sent    to  the  station 

for  analysis.     Following  is  an   abstract  of  the  report  of  Prof.  C.  F. 

Cnrtiss,  director  of  the  Iowa  station: 
Total  number  of  samples  analyzed,  642. 
One  and  seven-tenths  per  cent  of  tin' samples  contained  17  percent 

or  more  of  Bugar;  73  per  cent  of  these  had  a  purity  coefficient  of  80 

or  above,  and  50  per  cent  of  t  liese  samples  w  ciglied  1  I  ounces  or  al>o\  e. 

POUT  and  t  luce  tenths  pel- cent  of  the  samples  contained  L6  per  cent 

and  over  of  sugar  and  less  than  17  per  cent;  of  these  samples  80  per 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


73 


cent  had  a  purity  coefficient  of  80  degrees  or  above,  and  2.9  per  cent 
weighed  14  ounces  or  above. 

Twenty-two  and  three-tenths  per  cent  of  the  samples  contained  14 
per  cent  or  over  of  sugar  and  less  than  1G  per  cent;  of  these  samples 
50  per  cent  had  a  purity  coefficient  of  80  or  above,  and  G2  per  cent 
weighed  16  ounces  or  above. 

Forty-one  and  four-tenths  per  cent  of  the  samples  contained  12  per 
cent  and  over  of  sugar  an^  less  than  14  per  cent;  of  these  samples 
14.7  per  cent  had  a  purity  coefficient  of  80  or  above,  and  69  per  cent 
weighed  16  ounces  or  above. 

Sixty-nine  and  three  tenths  per  cent  of  the  total  number  of  samples 
contained  12  per  cent  or  more  of  sugar. 

The  above  percentages  are  based  on  the  weight  of  the  juice. 

The  mean  weight  of  the  samples  received  at  the  Iowa  station  was  19 
ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  12.4,  and  the  mean 
purity  76.6.     The  results  by  counties  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  Iotca  and  analyzed  by  the  Iowa  agricultural  experiment 

station. 


County. 


Adair 

Adams  

Allamakee... 
Appanoose  . . 
Audubon  — 

Benton  

Blackhawk  . . 

Boone  

Bremer 

Buchanan  . . 
Buena  Vista 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar  

Cherokee  — 
Chickasaw  . 

day 

Clayton  

Clinton 

Crawford 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur 

Delaware . . . 
Dickinson  . . 
Dubuque  ... 

Fayette 

Floyd 

Franklin  ... 

Fremont 

( i  reene 

Grundy 

(iuthrio  

Hamilton ... 
Banooek  — 

Hardin 

Harrison  ... 

Henry 

Howard 

Ida 

Jasper 

Jefl'erson  . . . 


Average 
weight 
per  root. 


Ounces. 
19 
21 
20 
8 
16 
21 
17 
17 
14 
15 
19 
13 
12 
22 
22 
21 
19 
15 
17 
23 
17 
23 
23 
14 
12 
18 
21 
17 
17 
24 
17 
19 
19 
23 
22 
21 
18 
19 
17 
26 
18 
21 
23 
12 


Sugar. 


Per  cent. 
13. 40 
13.26 

14.  26 
16.11 
13.  09 
13.30 
13.  98 
13.33 
11.24 
14.24 
13.62 
10.77 
15.80 
12.34 
12.  03 

12.  56 
13.34 
13.34 
12.08 
13.48 
^5.81 
10.55 
13.46 

15.  78 
14.14 

13.  23 
12.81 
14.14 
14.62 
12.77 
12.  62 
12.  15 
13.(14 
12.00 
12.60 
12.58 
11.92 
12.88 
12.65 

14.  24 
13.33 
12.79 
13.06 
12.36 


Purity 
coef- 
ficient. 


77.45 
75.30 
78.87 
82.80 
78.36 
76.68 
79.64 
76.81 
78.71 
76.  25 
77.70 
74.45 
81.46 
75.51 
75.34 
74.48 
77.01 
75.  54 
74.06 
78.47 
78.97 
68.24 
79.33 
73.  94 
79.27 
75.76 
75. 16 
69.76 
80.  33 
75.01 
73.  23 
71.37 
77.42 
73.91 
74.98 
75.24 

75.  84 
77.01 

76.  57 
78.64 
77.48 
77.49 
76.86 
76.27 


County. 


Johnson  

Jones 

Keokuk 

Kossuth 

Linn 

Louisa 

Lyon 

Madison 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mills 

Mitchell 

Monona 

Montgomery 

Muscatine 

O'Brien.  ^ 

Osceola 

Page 

Palo  Alto 

Plymouth 

Pocahontas 

Polk 

Pottawattamie  — 

Poweshiek 

Ringgold 

Scott  

Shelby 

Sioux 

Story  

Tama 

Taylor 

Union 

Wapello 

Warren 

Washington 

Wa\  n, • 

Webster 

Winnebago 

Winneshiek 

Woodbury 

Worth 

Wright 

Average 


Average 
weight 
per  root. 


Sugar. 


Ou 


nces. 
20 
17 
23 
25 
17 
10 
19 
18 
21 
22 
19 
20 
27 
25 
20 
16 
14 
23 
22 
26 
20 
22 
19 
2li 
17 
16 
24 
28 

17 

11 
15 
19 

20 
21 
13 
18 
22 
19 
20 
18 
15 


Ter  cent. 
12.54 
14.05 
14.06 
12.58 
12.08 
12.65 
14.07 
12.55 
12.86 
12.51 
12.  94 
12.37 
13.86 
12.  33 
14.44 
14.38 
14.16 
12.56 
12.  88 
12.49 
11.76 
12.96 
13.04 
1 2.  87 
12.54 
13.73 
13.43 
12.  11 

12.  30 
L2.55 
1 1  82 
13.98 
13.70 

13.  62 
13.  84 
15.  15 

12.  57 
12.21 
13.57 

12.7:: 

13.  34 
12.22 


Purity 
coef- 
ficient. 


76.98 
77.52 
76.46 
77.26 
74.02 
74.54 

79.  33 
74.34 
74.66 
74.85 
76.94 
76.21 

80.  87 
76.  52 
80.92 
92.  77 
81.48 
7  4.22 

106.85 
79.  39 
78.  46 

76.  09 
78.13 

77.  52 

75.  58 

76.  59 

78.  58 

73.  79 
76.51 
77.01 
70.  39 
76.54 
76.  74 

75.  79 
77.8  4 
70.  92 

76.  1  I 
76.  87 
76.  42 

74.  34 
78.77 
75.48 


76.56 


74  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  results  contained  in  the  above  table  are  not  as  satisfactory  as 
would  be  expected  from  the  location  of  Iowa  in  respect  of  thermal 
and  other  climatic  influences.  The  poor  results  obtained  are  due 
either  to  the  seasonal  influences,  which  might  have  been  particularly 
bad  for  the  season  in  question,  or  to  some  unsuitability  of  the  soil 
or  climate  to  the  production  of  high-grade  beets.  In  general,  it  has 
been  observed  that  soils  particularly  rich  in  humus  and  of  a  black 
color  do  not  produce  as  high-grade  beets  as  sandy  and  somewhat  lighter- 
colored  soils.  The  character  of  the  subsoil  and  of  the  stratum  under- 
lying it  must  also  be  taken  into  consideration  before  we  can  have  an 
idea  of  the  condition  of  aeration  of  the  soil  and  the  possibilities  of  the 
roots  of  the  beets  extending  to  the  proper  depth.  It  is  fortunate  that 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Iowa  will  continue  these  experi- 
ments in  a  more  careful  manner  and  under  more  efficient  control  of 
the  station  or  some  of  its  representatives.  It  is  evident  that  with  the 
possible  exception  of  the  southern  tier  of  counties  a  large  portion  of 
the  State  of  Iowa  with  favorable  soil  conditions  should  produce  beets 
of  high  saccharine  strength.  The  causes  which  have  depressed  both 
the  content  of  sugar  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  should  be  carefully 
investigated. 

KANSAS. 

Several  years  ago  extensive  experiments  in  growing  beets  in  Kansas 
were  made  at  Medicine  Lodge,  and  accounts  of  the  work  are  given  in 
former  bulletins  on  this  subject.  At  that  time  it  was  stated,  in  dis- 
cussing the  results,  that  the  climate  of  Kansas  was  particularly  unfa- 
vorable to  beet  culture.  The  extremely  dry  weather  to  which  much  of 
the  State  is  frequently  subjected,  in  conjunction  with  the  hot  winds 
which  sweep  over  the  vast  plains  almost  every  year  from  the  southwest, 
renders  the  growth  of  the  beet  extremely  precarious.  At  times  excel 
lent  beets  can  be  grown;  in  fact,  beets  of  line  character  were  produced 
nt  the  time  mentioned  at  Medicine  Lodge.  It  is  not  to  be  expected, 
however,  that  from  year  to  year  beets  of  high  grade  can  be  grown  in 
sufficient  quantities  to  warrant  the  building  of  factories  in  the  Slate. 
Nevertheless,  considerable  interest  is  taken  in  the  work  by  the  fanners 
in  various  parts  of  the  State,  and  also  by  the  agricultural  college  and 

experiment  station.  Forty-one  samples  were  received  by  the  Depart* 
nieiit  of  Agriculture.    The  average  size  of  these  samples  was  rather 

large,  namely,  27  ounces.     The  sugar  content    was   low,  11.1    percent. 

and  the  purity  quite  low,  73.8.  While  it  is  evident  that  Large  quanti- 
ties Of  BUgar  can  be  made  from  beets  of  this  eharaeter,  it  is  also  plain, 
without  argument,  that-  such  a  quality  of  beets  would  not  be  able  to 
compete  with  those  grown  in  more  favorable  localities. 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Kansas,  in  cooperation  with 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  also  conducted  a  series  of  experiments 

and  ree<  [ved  lor  analysis  L57  samples.     A  detailed  report  of  this  work 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


75 


will  be  found  in  the  bulletins  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of 
Kansas,  and  the  following  summary  sufficiently  indicates  the  character 
of  the  results  obtained.  The  number  of  samples  analyzed  was  157.  The 
average  net  weight  of  the  beets  received  was  17  ounces;  the  average 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beets,  11.9  per  cent,  and  the  average  coefficient  of 
purity  of  the  juice,  77.  The  percentage  of  the  whole  number  of  beets 
containing  13  per  cent  of  sucrose  or  over  was  15.2.  The  percentage  of 
beets  containing  13  per  cent  of  sugar  or  over,  having  a  coefficient  of 
purity  of  the  juice  of  80  per  cent  or  over,  was  67.  The  percentage 
of  beets  containing  13  per  cent  and  over  of  sugar  and  weighing  1G 
ounces  or  more,  net,  was  42. 

The  analyses  made  at  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Kansas 
have  been  consolidated  and  tabulated  by  counties.  The  table  of 
analyses  follows : 

Summary  of  analyses  of  beets  from  Kansas. 
[Compiled  from  report  of  experiment  station.] 


County. 


Allen 

Atchison 

Barber 

Barton 

Bourbon  

Brown 

Butler 

Chase 

Cheyenne 

Clay 

Cloud 

Coffey 

Crawford 

Do 

Dickinson  ... 

Doniphan 

Douglas 

Edwards 

Elk 

Ellsworth 

Finney  

Franklin  

Geary 

<  rraham 

Grant 

Ilarvev  

Do 

Jackson  

Jefferson 

Jewell 

Johnson 

Labette  

Lane 

Leavenworth 

Lincoln 

Logan  


a 

3J 

© 

-J 

P< 

W) 

©    CD 
CD    © 

ED 

3 

© 

- 

bo 

rO     « 

,Q 

a" 

£ 

U 

3 

z 

> 

fc 

"A 

< 

OZ8. 

10 

14 

17 

17 

14 

12 

4 

34 

8 

5 

10 

21 

22 

18 

6 

14 

10 

17 

37 

28 

93 

20  1 

4 

20 

12 
3 

>{ 

20 

17 

15 

•J  4 

11 

20 

6 

12 

14 

21 

5 

17 

6 

19 

6 

16 

6 

13 

31 

18 

6 

16 

0 

5 

6 

14 

14 

20 

6 

15 

-    40 

1<) 

14 

18 

3 

20 

26 

2 

4 

22 

12 

10 

- 

10 

19 

o 


Per  ct. 
10.64 
12.61 
14.91 
10.35 
13.88 
11.29 
10.86 
11.61 
12.14 
11.21 
11.65 
15.13 
13.87 


12.29 
13.  67 
12.48 
11.12 
14.04 


14.14 
11.86 
9.51 
12.83 
15.47 


12.  83 
11.17 
11.82 
11.12 
14.  23 
8.76 
10.17 
12.  75 
11.38 
11.40 


72.0 
79.5 
72.5 
74.0 
75.0 
81.0 
70.8 
77.0 
79.9 
78.0 
79.2 
78.0 
82.0 


77.0 
84.0 
77.5 
71.0 
83.0 


78.0 
73.0 
76.0 


74.0 
77.0 
70.0 
76.0 
78.0 


County. 


77.3 

83.0 

67.0 

68.5 

79.0 

79.6 

76.0 

Lyon 

Marion 

Marshall 

McPherson  . . . 
Montgomery. . 

Morris 

Nemaha 

Osage 

Osborne  

Ottawa 

Pawnee 

Phillips 

Pottawatomie 

Pratt 

Kawlins 

Keno 

Republic 

Rice 

Riley 

Rooks  

Rush 

Russell 

Saline 

Sedgwick 

Shawnee  

Sheridan 

Smith 

Sumner 

\\  aubaunsee 

Wallace 

Washington  . 

Wichita 

Wilson 

Woodson 

Wyandotte  ... 


9  * 

H 

u  & 

©  a 

,o  OS 

5* 

3 


Ozs. 
16 
16 
25 

7 

15 
15 
23 
16 
16 
22 

4 
19 
16 

8 
16 
12 
18 
14 
21 
16 
20 
10 

9 
12 
15 
21 
28 
18 
15 
19 
27 
14 
14 

7 
14 


Per  ct. 
13.29 
11.23 
12.20 
13.  08 
11.39 
14.01 
10.30 
12.  17 
12.39 
12.90 

8.52 
12.16 
12.20 
12.  19 

9.57 
13.78 
10.69 
11.71 

8.98 
13.39 
11.88 
11.49 
15.78 
11.23 
12.  19 
11.59 

11.  12 
13.38 

12.  14 
11.58 
10.79 
1 1 .  24 

13.  12 

14.32 
14.11 


79.5 
71.8 
79.4 
76.0 
74.6 
74.5 
74.2 
77.2 
70.0 
78.2 
70.0 
79.5 
83.6 
75.0 
73.0 

79.  5 
74.5 
74.5 
70.  3 

80.  5 
77.0 
71.0 
84.0 
74.0 
77.3 
78.5 
78.0 
76.0 
77.5 
76  0 
75.  2 
79.0 
81.0 
73.(1 
75.0 


The  data  obtained  at  the  Kansas  station  corroborate  in  every  respect 
those  secured  at  the  Department  of  Agriculture.     It  is  evident  that 


76  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

fairly  good  beets  can  be  grown  in  Kansas,  and  there  are  doubtless 
seasons  when  exceptionally  rich  beets  might  be  secured.  In  general, 
however,  it  maybe  said  that  there  is  no  immediate  prospect  of  the  suc- 
cessful establishment  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in  that  State,  unless  it 
might  be  in  some  of  the  extreme  western  or  northwestern  counties,  where 
irrigation  might  be  practiced,  and  where  the  altitude  is  sufficiently  high 
to  secure  a  lowering  of  the  temperature.  One  of  the  great  causes  of 
danger,  however,  is  found  in  the  hot  southwest  winds,  which  frequently 
blow  over  the  State  with  disastrous  consequences  at  the  period  when  the 
crops  are  growing  most  rapidly.  It  will  be  seen  that  in  many  instances 
individual  analyses  obtained  in  Kansas  are  extremely  satisfactory,  as 
for  instance,  in  Elk  County,  where  two  samples,  including  14  different 
beets,  showed  an  average  weight  of  21  ounces,  an  average  content  of 
sugar  in  the  juice  of  14  per  cent,  and  an  average  purity  of  83.  Another 
sample  is  found  in  Saline  County,  where  10  beets,  forming  two  samples, 
showed  a  sugar  content  of  15.8  per  cent  in  the  juice,  with  an  average 
purity  of  84.  In  this  case,  however,  the  beets  were  very  much  under 
size,  the  average  weight  being  only  9  ounces.  When,  however,  the 
data  received  from  the  counties  are  compared  with  similar  data  from 
the  State  of  New  York,  the  discrepancy  observed  is  so  great  as  to 
indicate,  without  further  elucidation,  the  proper  locality  where  the  first 
development  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  should  be  looked  for. 

In  the  light  of  our  previous  experiments,  it  must  be  evident  that 
high  grade  sorghum,  developed  from  carefully  selected  seeds,  has  m 
better  prospect  in  Kansas  of  being  a  profitable  sugar-producing  plant 
than  the  sugar  beet. 

Kentucky. 

Only  a  few  samples,  with  the  exception  of  those  sent  by  the  experi- 
ment station,  have  been  received  from  Kentucky.  This  State  being 
situated  far  south  of  the  theoretical  sugar-beet  belt,  it  is  not  to  be 
expected  that  the  results  of  the  analyses  would  be  particularly  encour- 
aging. The  mean  weight  of  thr  six  samples  received  was  L6  ounces, 
the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  11.9,  and  the  purity  71.5.  The  six  sam- 
ples included  four  from  tin1  experiment  station.  The  beets  received 
were  small,  and  the  percentage  of  sugar  only  a  trifle  under  the  mini- 
mum which  is  advisable  for  profitable  sugar  making;  The  purity, 
however,  is  excessively  low,  and  this  seems  to  be  characteristic  of  beets 

grown  too  far  south,  the  purity  coefficient  Usually  falling  in  a  more 
rapid  proportion  than  the  content  of  sugar. 

Large  numbers  of  samples  were  received  from  the  experiment  sta- 
tion in  addition  to  those  analyzed  above,  which  were  grown  upon  the 

special  plot,  which  will  be  mentioned  later  cm,  and  under  the  most 
favorable   conditions  of  cult  me.     The  beets   which    were   sent    to    the 

Department  were  of  good  size  and  mostly  of  a  favorable  shape,  but  the 

analytical  data  were  very  disappointing,  falling  a  great  deal  lower  than 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  77 

was  expected.  Nine  samples  of  White  Improved  Imperial  Elite,  planted 
May  8  and  harvested  December  9,  had  an  average  weight  of  33  ounces, 
with  4.9  per  cent  of  sugar.  Three  samples  of  original  Kleinwanzlebener 
had  an  average  weight  of  23  ounces,  with  10.8  per  cent  of  sugar.  Six- 
teen samples  of  Vilmorin's  Improved  had  an  average  weight  of  25 
ounces,  with  G.4  per  cent  of  sugar.  Thirty-nine  samples  of  the  Demes- 
may  variety  had  an  average  weight  of  29  ounces,  with  5.3  per  cent  of 
sugar.  All  of  these  beets  were  somewhat  overgrown,  but  not  suffi- 
ciently so  to  account  for  the  extremely  low  percentage  of  sugar.  A 
large  additional  number  of  samples  had  been  selected  for  analysis,  but 
the  results  of  the  preceding  analyses  were  so  discouraging  as  to  render 
the  further  prosecution  of  the  analytical  work  unnecessary.  This  sub- 
ject will  be  mentioned  again  when  the  experiments  in  the  specially 
cultivated  plots  with  high  grade  seeds  are  discussed. 

Maryland. 

All  the  analyses  of  the  samples  of  beets  grown  in  Maryland  were  made 
in  the  laboratory  of  this  division,  the  agricultural  station  at  College 
Park  not  having  undertaken  any  work  of  this  kind.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  samples  received  from  the  State  was  29.  The  mean  size  of  the 
beets  was  19  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beets  11.4, 
and  the  mean  purity  of  the  juices  79.1.  In  respect  of  size,  the  samples 
from  Maryland  are  about  the  mean.  The  purity  of  the  juice  is  almost 
up  to  the  minimum  standard,  but  the  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
is  about  O.o*  less  than  is  advisable  for  manufacture. 

In  regard  to  climatic  conditions,  as  has  been  before  intimated,  the 
State  of  Maryland  occupies  a  somewhat  peculiar  position.  There  is  a 
considerable  area  along  the  eastern  shore,  next  to  the  ocean,  where  the 
average  summer  temperature  is  71°.  In  the  western  part  of  the  State, 
after  a  long  deflection  to  the  north,  the  isotherm  of  70°  may  again  be 
found.  Lying  immediately  south  of  the  isotherm  of  71°,  in  the  north- 
ern portion  of  Maryland,  are  found  some  very  line  valley  lands  where 
the  conditions  of  culture  may  be  considered  favorable.  These  lands 
are  underlaid  by  limestone,  which  in  many  cases  comes  to  the  surface. 
Theoretically  they  are  a  little  too  warm  for  the  most  successful  culture, 
but  lying  so  near  the  favorable  thermal  belt  there  may  be  reasonable 
hopes  of  successful  culture  in  many  localities.  In  the  western  portion 
of  the  State,  where  the  thermal  conditions  are  favorable,  we  find  the 
mountain  ranges,  and  the  low  temperature  of  the  summer  is  due  to  the 
high  elevation.  The  quantity  of  table  lands  upon  the  tops  of  the  moun- 
tains, however,  is  not  sufficiently  great  to  warrant  the  expectation  of 
the  founding  of  a  great  industry.  There  is  no  doubt,  however,  of  the 
possibility  of  growing  very  rich  beets  on  these  table  lands.  In  general 
it  may  be  said  that  the  State  of  Maryland  is  not  very  favorably  si  tun  ted 
for  the  culture  of  sugar  beets,  but  there  are  circumscribed  localities 


78  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY   IN   THE   UNITED    STATES. 

within  the  State  where  it  is  desirable  to  conduct  further  experiments. 
It  is  therefore  earnestly  hoped  that  the  agricultural  experiment  station 
of  the  State  will  make  a  more  careful  agricultural  survey  of  the  possi- 
bilities of  the  culture  of  sugar  beets  therein. 

Michigan. 

The  southern  peninsula  of  Michigan  is  favorably  situated  for  the 
culture  of  sugar  beets,  both  in  respect  of  thermal  conditions  and  rain- 
fall. The  soil  is  also  for  the  most  part  well  suited  to  sugar-beet  culture. 
In  going  northward,  however,  it  becomes  more  sandy  until  finally  the 
pine  regions  are  reached,  where  a  soil  without  fertilization  would  not  be 
sufficiently  rich  to  produce  large  crops.  The  well-known  tendency  of  a 
sandy  soil,  with  proper  meteorological  conditions,  to  produce  beets  of  a 
high  purity  is  well  illustrated  in  the  samples  which  have  been  received 
from  Michigan.  In  all,  450  samples  from  the  State  were  sent  to  this 
laboratory  for  analysis,  400  of  them  being  from  Saginaw  County  and 
grown  under  the  supervision  of  Messrs.  Higgins  &  Lenders. 

In  regard  to  the  results  from  particular  counties,  attention  should  be 
called  to  the  fact  that  the  samples  from  Allegan  were  all  enormously 
overgrown,  the  average  weight  of  the  beets  being  G2  ounces  and  the 
corresponding  content  of  sugar  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  low.  The 
results  from  Calhoun  County,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  are  par- 
ticularly favorable,  the  average  weight  of  the  samples  being  17  ounces. 
average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  15.8,  and  the  average  purity  83.2. 
The  greater  part  of  the  samples  having  come  from  Saginaw  County,  the 
average  data  for  this  county  are  almost  the  same  as  those  of  the  State, 
with  the  exception  that  the  purity  is  considerably  higher.  The  average 
composition  of  the  400  samples  from  Saginaw  County  was  as  follows: 
Average  weight,  22  ounces;  sugar  content  in  the  beet,  14.8  per  cent, 
and  purity,  83.3.  For  the  whole  State — 450  samples — the  average 
weight  was  22  ounces,  average  sugar  content  14.7  per  cent,  and  average 
purity  81.1. 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Michigan,  in  cooperation  with 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  also  made  an  extensive  series  of  inves- 
tigations, a  resume  of  which  is  given  below: 

RESULTS    BY    COUNTIES    of    THE    CULTIVATION    OF    SUOAB     BESTS    IN    MICHIGAN     i\ 

1897. 

The  following  table,  is  ^ivon  containing  the  number  of  samples  Bent  to  the  stal  i<>n 
from  each  county ,  the  average  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  and  coefficient  of  purity 
of  all  samples  sent.    Seed  was  distributed  in  sixty-eight  counties,  and  from  the  table 

below  it  will  be  set n  t  ha!  samples  lia\  e  lieen  received  from  sixty-four  of  t  hem.     The 

average  peroenl  of  sugar  in  tin', juice  of  beets  of  the  whole  State,  when  grown  on 

the  proper  kind  of  soil  and  from  the  right  kind  of  seed,  is  L6.40,  and  the  coefficient 

of  purity  in  s4.    An  average  of  16.40  per  cent  of  sugar  for  the  whole  state,  far 

i  ding  the  besl  districts  in  France  and  Germany ,  is  both  surprising  and  gratifying.1 


■These  data  are  obtained  by  omitting  from  the  table  the  analyses  of  samples 
which  were  known  to  have  been  grown  under  unfavorable  conditions. — H.W.W 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


79 


Analyses  of  s:igar  beets  grown  in  Michigan  and  analyzed  by  tlu 

experiment  station. 


Michigan  agricultural 


County. 


Alger ..../ 

Allegan 

Alpena 

Antrim 

Arenac 

Baraga 

Barry 

Berrien 

Branch 

Calhoun 

Cass 

Charlevoix 

Clare 

Clinton 

Craw  lord 

Eaton 

Emmet 

Genesee 

Grand  Traverse 

Gratiot 

Hillsdale 

Huron 

Ingham 

Ionia 

Iosco 

Iron 

Isabella 

Jackson 

Kalamazoo 

Kalkaska 

Kent 

Lapeer 

Leelanaw 

Lenawee 

Livingston 

Mackinac 

Macomb 

Manistee 

Mason 

Mecosta 

Menominee 

Midland 

Missaukee 

Monroe 

Montcalm 

Muskegon 

Newaygo 

Oakland 

Oceana 

Ontonagon  

Osceola 

Otsego 

Ottawa. 

Saginaw 

St. Clair 

St.  Joseph 

Sanilac 

Shiawassee 

Tuscola 

Van  Buren 

Washtenaw..-. 

Wayne 

Wexford 


Total.. .. 


Total 

number 

Sugar  in 

of 

juice. 

samples. 

Ver  cent. 

1 

14.22 

3 

15.67 

2 

15.01 

2 

15.  97 

8 

16.77 

1 

14.10 

4 

14.90 

10 

15.53 

3 

17.  83 

3 

16.62 

6 

15.82 

2 

15.44 

7 

17.58 

2 

16.80 

4 

15.89 

1 

15.25 

5 

17.50 

1 

15.02 

6 

14.75 

7 

15.  75 

6 

16.09 

2 

16.71 

6 

17.47 

36 

16.43 

4 

16.36 

G 

13.18 

1 

18.18 

4 

14.09 

7 

19.74 

17 

15.45 

2 

16.91 

1G 

15.55 

2 

17.71 

3 

18.77 

5 

15.96 

2 

14.34 

1 

16.  22 

11 

16.11 

6 

17.  09 

5 

16.54 

4 

16.67 

6 

16.58 

2 

L7.62 

1 

15.79 

2 

16.41 

2 

17.  64 

9 

16.03 

13 

16.11 

7 

15.29 

11 

16.54 

4 

15.15 

2 

id.  :>5 

1 

18.00 

14 

16.  47 

127 

15,99 

31 

17.53 

1 

12.  16 

11 

18.  15 

4 

16.  89 

1 

18.94 

4 

13.  82 

4 

16.  10 

9 

16. 12 

il 

14.59 

Coeffi- 
cient of 
purity. 


Samples 

rejected 

for  bad 

soil  or 

seed. 


Number 

of  sain-      Sugar  in 
pies  on      juice  in 
right  soil        such 
and  prop-   samples, 
er  seed,  j 


1 
3 
2 
2 
8 
1 
4 
9 
3 
3 
6 
2 
7 
2 
3 
1 
5 
1 
5 
5 
6 
2 
6 

35 
4 
5 
1 
3 
2 

14 
2 

14 
2 
3 
5 
2 
1 
9 
6 
5 
4 
6 
2 
1 
2 
2 
9 

12 
6 

11 
4 
2 
1 

14 
123 

30 
1 

11 
4 
1 
4 

44 


Per  cent. 
14.22 
15.67 
15.01 
15.  97 
16.77 

14.  10 
14.90 
16.00 

17.  83 
16.62 
15.82 
15.44 
17.58 
16.80 
16.05 
15.25 
17.50 
15.02 
16.14 

15.  91 
16.09 
16.71 
17.47 
16.53 
16.36 
14.22 
18.18 
16.41 
18.16 
15.87 
16.91 
15.85 
17.71 
18.77 
15.96 

14.  34 
16.22 
16.91 
17.09 
16.54 
16.67 
16.58 
17.62 
15.79 
16.41 
17.64 
16.03 
16.54 
16.26 
16.54 

15.  15 
16.55 
18.00 

16.  47 
16.13 
17.64 
12.16 
18.15 
16.  89 

18.  94 
13.  82 
16.  10 
17.08 
[5.25 


465 


16.08 


83 


16.40 


Coeffi- 
cient of 
purity. 


Five  samples  from  Oceana  County  are  not  included  in  results  of  analyses, because 
they  were  dried  and  damaged  by  keeping. 


80 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Interesting  data  in  regard  to  cost  of  culture  were  obtained  at  the 
Michigan  station.  The  plats  were  planted  on  the  8th  of  May,  and 
harvested  on  the  Cth  of  October.  After  throwing  the  dirt  away  from 
the  beets  by  a  plow  they  were  pulled  by  hand  and  the  leaves  and  stems 
removed.  Owing  to  the  deepsubsoiling  and  thorough  preparation  of 
the  ground,  the  beets  were  found  wholly  embedded  in  the  soil,  none  of 
them  having  been  pushed  above  the  surface.  The  average  weight  of 
the  beets  before  the  removal  of  the  necks  was  about  2h  pounds.  The 
following  table  gives  the  total  labor,  calculated  to  1  acre,  required  for 
growing  and  harvesting  the  beets: 


Man  and 
team. 


Man. 


Plowing  and  snb.soilin^ 

Harrow  in^r , 

Marking 

Planting. 


77 on  i- ft.  J  fours. 

12.00    

3.75    

.80    

3.25 


Cultivating 15. 00   

Thinning  and  hoeing 75.  90 

Harvesting 4.  GO       130.  75 


Total 


30. 15       209. 90 


The  hand  labor  in  harvesting  was  performed  by  boys  at  8  cents  an 
hour.  The  work  of  hoeing  and  thinning  was  performed  by  men  at  12£ 
cents  an  hour.  The  cost  of  team  work  is  computed  at  2o  cents  an  hour 
for  man  and  team.  On  the  above  basis,  the  total  cost  of  planting,  culti- 
vating, and  harvesting  an  acre  of  beets  at  the  Michigan  Experiment 
Station  was  $29.40.  The  yield  per  acre,  the  percentage  of  sugar  in  the 
juice,  and  the  purity  for  each  variety  grown  are  shown  in  the  following 
table : 


Variety. 


Wohfl  nka 

Improved  Kloiiiwanzlebener 

Original  deinwanelebener  — 
Government  R Icinu anzlebener 

I. a  Plug  liiclic 

Government  Kleins  anzlebener, 
Hoerning'a  Improved 

Kioto's  I in|ii'o\ ed 

Klein  wanzlebener  on  muck  — 


Yield  pel 

acre. 


Pounds. 

23,615 
25.  078 
27,  :i08 
25,  048 
29  205 
32,  827 
24  500 
20,  200 


Sugar. 


/Vr  (•'  at 
15.22 
1G.40 
1-  27 
17.78 
18.78 
17.  78 
15.20 
IS.  21 
12.90 


Purity. 


Pull   details  of  all   the  experiments   conducted   in  Michigan   by  (ho 
agricultural  experiment  station  are  found  in  Bulletin  No.lSOof  that 

station,  issued  in  December,  1S!>7.  by  Director  0.  1>.  Smith  and  Chemist 

R.O.  Kedzie. 

The  Study  Of  the  two  sets  Of  data  secured  at  the  Department  of  Agri- 
culture and  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Michigan  la  suf- 
ficient to  demonstrate  tie-  fact  (hat  tlie  Southern  peninsula  of  Michigan 
lias  great  possibilities  for  the  development  of  the  sugar  beet  industry. 
When  if  is  remembered  that  the  most  of  those  who  grew  the  samples 
had  had  no  previous  experience  in  the  matter,  that  no  systematic. 
fertilization  was  attempted,  and    that    in   many   instances  the  soil  was 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  81 

improperly  prepared,  the  remarkably  favorable  results  obtained  are  the 
more  convincing.  It  is  evident  that  all  the  southern  portion  of  the 
Southern  Michigan  Peninsula,  in  conjunction  with  the  northern  part 
of  Indiana,  forms  an  area  in  which  the  future  will  see  a  remarkable 
development  of  the  sugar-beet  industry. 

Minnesota. 

Forty-nine  samples  from  the  State  of  Minnesota  were  received  for 
analysis  at  the  laboratory  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  The 
mean  weight  of  the  samples  received  was  24  ounces,  the  mean  percent- 
age of  sugar  in  the  beet  11,  and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  79.2. 

Great  variations  are  shown  in  the  samples  received  from  different 
parts  of  the  State.  One  of  the  best  series  of  results  was  obtained  from 
Freeborn  County,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  from  which  twelve 
samples  were  received,  having  an  average  weight  of  20  ounces,  an 
average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  14.1  per  cent,  and  an  average 
coefficient  of  purity  of  82.3. 

Another  good  series  of  samples,  though  less  in  number,  was  from 
Ottertail  County,  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  from  which  four 
samples  were  received,  having  an  average  weight  of  23  ounces,  a  mean 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beets  of  14.9  per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of 
purity  of  82.1.  The  general  average  from  the  State  was  lowered  by  a 
large  number  of  very  poor  samples,  which  evidently  Ji ad  been  grown 
under  extremely  unfavorable  conditions. 

The  period  of  growth  in  Minnesota,  while  a  little  short,  is  neverthe- 
less favorable  from  other  considerations,  especially  in  the  southern  and 
eastern  portions  of  the  State.  Toward  the  northwestern  portion  of  the 
State  the  rainfall  is  somewhat  uncertain,  and  the  autumn  is  perhaps  a 
little  too  cold.  As  has  been  intimated  before,  the  chief  difficulty  in 
Minnesota  in  the  establishment  of  the  beet-sugar  industry  is  not  in 
securing  a  proper  growing  season,  but  in  having  a  sufficient  time  to 
properly  harvest  and  protect  the  beets.  The  sudden,  and  often  early, 
advent  of  winter  in  the  northern  and  western  portions  of  the  State  will 
be  the  cause  of  difficulties  of  a  serious  nature  in  the  harvesting  and 
siloing  of  the  beets.  These  are  factors  which  intending  investors  will 
do  well  to  carefully  consider.  In  general,  the  conditions  of  growth  are 
so  favorable  as  to  warrant  the  careful  study  of  the  soils  of  the  State  by 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  with  a  view  to  selecting  those  locali- 
ties where  the  conditions  of  culture  are  most  favorable.  In  a  State  of 
such  vast  area  it  is  far  better  to  determine  those  restricted  sections 
where  the  conditions  are  most  favorable  rather  than  try  to  establish 
the  industry  indiscriminately  in  every  portion  of  the  State. 

In  cooperation  with  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  the  agricultural 
experiment  station  of  Minnesota  conducted  an  extensive  series  of  cul- 
ture experiments  in  various  parts  of  the  State.  The  general  results 
of  the  experiments  are  indicated  in  the  report  of  the  chemist  of  the 
station,  which  follows. 
H.  Doc.  39G 6 


82 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


EXPERIMENTS   CONDUCTED  BY  THE  AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT   STATION   OF 

MINNESOTA. 

The  seed  from  winch  the  beets  were  grown  was  obtained  from  a  variety  of  sources. 
Some  procured  seed  from  the  stock  which  the  legislature  directed  the  State  treas- 
urer to  purchase.  About  100  pounds  of  seed  were  obtained  from  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture  and  distributed  by  the  experiment  station.  Some 
was  obtained  direct  from  Germany,  while  a  few  obtained  seed  from  seed  dealers  and 
other  sources.  As  a  rale,  the  seed  was  of  good  quality.  Only  a  few  instances  of  pool 
seed  were  reported.  There  was  but  little  difference  as  to  the  quality  of  the  beets 
produced  by  the  seed  furnished  by  the  State  and  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 
At  the  experiment  station  the  average  of  four  plots  of  Klein  wanzlebener  beets  grown 
from  State  seed  showed  17.5  per  cent  sugar,  with  a  purity  coefficient  of  86.7,  while  the 
average  of  four  plots  of  Klein  wanzlebener  beets  grown  from  United  States  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  seed  gave  17.4  per  cent  sugar  and  a  purity  eoeflicient  of  87.8. 

The  past  season  has  not  been  one  particularly  favorable  to  the  production  of  the 
highest  quality  of  beets.  It  has  been  the  most  unfavorable  season  in  nine  years. 
As  a  whole,  however,  the  results  have  been  satisfactory,  and  I  consider  them  of 
unusual  value,  because  they  indicate  the  quality  of  the  beets  which  are  produced 
in  an  unfavorable  rather  than  a  favorable  season. 

At  the  experiment  station  the  average  of  those  plots  which  were  grown  under 
normal  conditions  gave  a  sugar  content  of  17.4  per  cent  and  a  purity  eoeflicient  of 
87.3. 

There  is  one  factor  in  our  favor  which  I  think  has  been  overlooked  in  considering 
desirable  locations  for  sugar  beet  factories,  and  that  is,  we  have  never  lost  a  sugar- 
beet  crop  from  hot,  dry  winds,  which  occasionally  occur  in  some  of  the  prairie 
States. 

About  three  hundred  samples  of  beets  have  been  tested  during  the  season.  In 
many  cases  the  results  were  lower  than  they  would  have  been  if.  the  beets  had  been 
properly  cultivated.  In  one  of  the  tables  the  results  are  given  of  some  of  the  beets 
which  have  been  grown  under  abnormal  conditions.  In  one  case  twenty-five  min- 
utes' time  was  spent  on  a  quarter  acre  of  beets,  while  in  another  case  the  seeds  were 
planted  five  inches.  These  results,  while  they  possess  no  value  as  indicating  the 
quality  of  sugar  beets  which  may  be  produced  in  a  locality,  are  nevertheless  valua- 
ble, because  they  emphasize  the  importance  of  the  right  kind  of  cultivation  for 
sugar-beet  p  rod  notion. 

Sugar  beets  grown  at  the  Minnesota  "Experiment  Station. 


No. 
plot. 

No. 

tests. 

Sugar. 

Purity        A  v.  rage 
coellicient.     weight. 

Bighest  results:    Rows  18  inches  apart  and  heota  4 

18.5 
l  L '-' 
in.  i) 
15,8 
16. 9 

17.  1 

-  r.     Oune«i. 
92.5              12.8 

Lowest  results:  Bows  86  Inohes  apart  and  beeta  LO 

78.0               18.4 

A     81  age  Of  rows: 

24  and  30  inches  apart  and  beets  i  to  6  Inohes  In  row, 
21  and  80  Inches  apart  and  beets  6  i<>  to  inohes  In 

8 

H 
H 
8 

16 
16 
Lfl 
16 

86,  l 
85.5 
85.4 

87.  8 

16.  1 
14.9 

it  and  18  Inohea  apan  and  beets  8  and  i<»  Inches  in 

14. 1 

1  t  and    Lfl  Inches  apart  and   beets  1  ami  (i  inches  in 

11.0 

The  cultivation  of  the  beeta  waa  under  the  supen  ision  <>i"  the  Agricultural  Divi- 
sion.   The  analyses  were  all  made  by  the  chemial  of  the  station. 

The  analytical  data  obtained  arc  summarized  from  the  details  of  tlie 
chemist's  report  in  the  following  table: 

Total  number  of  analyses  reported 143 

Average  vreighl  of  the  beeta  (ounces) 17 

Average  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice 13.1 

Average  coefficient  of  purity 81.8 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  83 

The  classification  of  results  is  made  in  several  portions,  namely, 
analyses  of  miscellaneous  samples  from  the  State  at  large  and  analyses 
of  special  samples  from  definite  localities.  In  the  analyses  of  mis- 
cellaneous beets  collected  from  different  parts  of  the  State,  with  the 
exception  of  those  specially  mentioned  below,  thirty  four  samples  were 
examined.  The  mean  weight  of  the  beet  is  not  given  in  this  table  of 
analyses.  The  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  juice  is  14.25  and  the 
mean  purity  coefficient  82. 

Sixteen  samples  grown  at  Mankato,  Minn.,  showed  an  average  weight 
of  21.9  ounces,  a  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  juice  of  12.8,  and  a 
purity  coefficient  of  80.2. 

Ten  samples  grown  at  Winton  and  Stockton  had  an  average  weight 
of  17.1  ounces,  contained  13.7  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  and  had 
a  purity  coefficient  of  81.9. 

Eighty  three  samples  grown  at  Albert  Lea  had  an  average  weight  of 
16.G  ounces,  contained  13.8  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  and  had  a 
purity  coefficient  of  82.1. 

In  general,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  results  obtained  on  the  samples 
sent  directly  to  the  station  were  better  than  those  secured  at  the  lab- 
oratory in  Washington.  Upon  the  whole,  the  results  of  the  work  done 
at  the  experiment  station  are  eminently  satisfactory,  especially  as  they 
were  accompanied  with  the  statement  of  the  director  that  the  condi- 
tions were  the  most  unfavorable,  for  the  development  of  a  crop  of  sugar 
beets,  which  had  been  known  in  the  State  since  the  commencement  of 
the  experiments  in  this  direction,  in  1888. 

The  results  of  the  analyses  of  the  beets  grown  at  the  station  are 
extremely  satisfactory.  The  average  weight  of  the  beet,  to  be  sure,  is 
somewhat  low,  but  this  doubtless  was  due  to  an  unfavorable  growing 
season.  The  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beets  grown  in  different 
plots  is  exceptionally  fine,  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  in  one  instance 
is  higher  than  could  reasonably  be  expected  with  the  best  kind  of 
culture.  Only  in  one  of  the  plots  cultivated  on  the  station  are  the 
results  unsatisfactory,  and  in  this  case  it  is  the  coefficient  of  purity 
especially  which  has  fallen  below  the  standard. 

Missouri. 

Very  extensive  experiments  were  made  in  Missouri,  about  4,000  sam- 
ples of  seed  having  been  distributed,  and  over  GOO  returns  made. 
There  were  sent  directly  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  324  sam- 
ples, detailed  analyses  of  which  are  found  in  the  preceding  tables. 
The  average  weight  of  the  samples  received  was  20  ounces.  The  mean 
percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  was  11.7  and  the  mean  parity  73.5. 
Many  individual  samples  from  the  State  show  excellent  qualities,  but 
reliable  judgment,  as  intimated  before,  can  only  be  based  upon  large 
numbers  of  analyses.  Among  the  counties  furnishing  beets  of  high 
quality  may  be  mentioned  Barton,  in  the  southwestern  pari  of  the 
State.     Three  samples  were  received  from  this  county,  all  of  them  of 


84 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


rather  large  size  and  fine  content  of  sugar,  the  mean  size  being  27 
ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  15.3  per  cent;  only  the 
purity  in  all  cases  was  a  little  low,  the  mean  being  77.3.  Benton 
County,  in  the  center  of  the  State,  also  showed  good  results,  live  sam- 
ples having  an  average  weight  of  1G  ounces,  an  average  sugar  content 
of  15.5  per  cent,  and  an  average  purity  of  77.1.  The  best  single  sam 
pie  received  was  from  Pulaski  County,  in  the  center  of  the  State,  the 
percentage  of  sugar  being  18.3,  the  purity  86.1;  but  the  weight  was 
low,  namely,  only  12  ounces. 

Two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  samples  of  beets  were  sent  directly  to 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Missouri  and  analyzed  in  the 
laboratory  of  that  station.  The  mean  results,  by  counties,  obtained  on 
analysis  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

Summary  of  analyses  of  beets  grown  in  Missouri. 
[From  Report  of  Missouri  Experiment  Station.] 


County. 


A  flair .... 

And  lew. . 
Audrain  . 

Harry  

J'.arton  ... 
Bates  — 
I '.i  n ton  . . . 

Boone 

Buchanan 
Butler  ... 
Caldwell  . 
Callaway. 
Carroll ... 

Cass 

Cedar  — 
Chariton  . 
(  lnistian 
Clark  .... 

Clay 

Cooper  . . . 
Crawford. 

Dade 

Dallas.... 

Dekalb... 

D.-nt 

Douglas.. 

Franklin  . 
<  iaseonadt 

Gentry 

Gn  i  d< 
Grand;  .. 
Ban  ison 
Henry 
Hickory. . 
iioit  . 
Howell... 

I  loll 

Jackson. . 
Jasper  ... 
Jefferson 
Johnson.. 
Knox 
Laclede 
Lafayette 
i,au  rence 

! 

Lincoln  . . 

Linn 


,2   ft 

E  5 

5  3 


© 

a 

bC^ 

cS^J 

<D   (U 

f-  bJD 

!** 

"lp 

3 

•4 

in 

Ozs. 

Per  ct. 

29 

14.31 

22 

12.16 

32 

7.10 

24 

12.85  i 

41 

16.97 

22 

11.56 

16 

18.  19 

29 

8.19  1 

34 

12.20  ' 

8 

6.47  i 

35 

12.99 

33 

12.45 

28 

11.08 

22 

16.36 

7 

11.08 

16 

12.  35 

32 

11.14 

54 

12.80 

30 

8.87 

19 

8.43 

20 

1 1 .  95 

80 

10.56 

18 

L4.08 

46 

10.11 

10 

14.51 

4 

15.19 

80 

9.81 

19 

10.88 

81 

12.  68 

20 

12.27 

18 

12.  16 

8 

18.45 

25 

1 1 .  o:> 

24 

11.88 

29 

10.26 

2A 

13.  10 

18 

18.  11 

88 

12.14 

27 

il  in 

17 

1(1.71 

22 

11.90 

16 

12.81 

19 

12.  36 

26 

11    15 

24 

12  12 

25 

15  60 

12 

;  ,94 

2H 

12.28 

®ft 

Cm 


82.89 
76.76 
56.66 
73.96 
81.62 
76.  82 
86.  36 
63.  78 
81.88 
58.  23 

80.  16 

76.  45 
75.03 
84.75 
78.86 
74.24 
67.  86 

77.  76 
67.  16 
81.69 

81.  27 
67.  95 
74.95 
70.  40 
72.  86 

70.  HI 

88.  f.O 
75.42 

77.  17 

71.  11 

66.76 
76.68 

78.  29 

78.  18 

79.  76 
79.  28 

72.  57 
68  73 

72.  5 1 
74.  K7 

74.  OH 
7H.  06 
H2  27 
57.  18 
72.21 


County. 


Livingston 

McDonald 

Macrn 

Madison 

Maries 

Marion 

Mercer 

Mississippi 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

New  Madrid 

Nodaway 

Oregon 

Ozark  

Perry  

Pettis 

Phelps 

Platte 

Pike  (average) 

First  harvest.. 

Second  harvest 

Randolph 

Rai 

Saline 

Schuyler 

Scotland 

Scotl 

Shannon  

Shelby 

St.  Charles 

St.  Clair 

St.  Franc  ois 

si   Louis 

Stoddard  

Sullivan 

Taney 

Texas  

Vernon 

Warren 

Washington  

W  a\  lie 

Webster      

w  orth  

Wrighl  


To  I  ■  I    |  ii  il 
mean 


,C  ft 

S  £ 

s  a 


t-  fcO 


(>Z8. 

12 
19 
14 
20 
28 
32 
44 
24 
11 
21 
20 
42 
20 
6 
16 
24 
13 
27 
21 
21 

21 
16 
44 
21 
25 
20 
26 
12 
8 
58 

a 

22 

27 
16 

26 

15 
18 

86 

22 

M 
84 
18 


Per  ct. 

9.75 
13.83 
14.11 
13.07 
12.95 

il.  76 
13.  51 
10.57 

7.71 

12  62 

12.  30 
11.66 

8.37 
13.81 
14.06 
10.05 
11.81 
12.11 

10.  14 
10.94 

9.34 
li  80 
10.95 
13.71 
15.71 
15.51 

9.  70 
ll  94 

7.H7 

11.  21 
21.02 

9.68 
13.53 
14.79 
Lfl  Q8 
18.08 

13  17 
H.  (17 

ln.71 
13.08 

13.  12 
L1.85 
14.01 


28       1 1 .  I 


70.34 
80  u."> 
70.89 
71.85 
78.  92 
till.  32 
Si  i.  22 
7f..  00 
57.  57 

78.  ll 

79.  03 
72.  61 
67.  12 

77.  15 
74.86 
65.  67 

75.  56 
74.  74 

76.  HI 
74.  30 
80  17 
72.  40 
76.  39 
82.  30 
79  46 
66.43 
76  10 
76.  26 

78.  36 
92.  1!» 
61.99 
82  B0 
74.  19 

74.95 

.     17 

0  I.  18 
73.71 


S3.  21 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


85 


Of  the  whole  number  of  samples,  the  percentage  of  those  containing 
13  per  cent  or  more  of  sugar  in  the  beet  was  24;  the  percentage  of 
these  beets  with  a  sugar  content  of  13  per  cent  or  over  having  a  purity 
coefficient  of  80  or  over  was  83 ;  the  percentage  of  the  number  of  beets 
containing  13  per  cent  of  sugar  which  had  a  purity  coefficient  of  80  or 
over  and  weighing  1G  ounces  or  over  was  68. 

The  average  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  for  the  whole  number 
of  samples  examined  at  the  station  was  11.1.  The  average  coefficient 
of  purity  74.9,  and  the  average  weight  in  ounces  2o.  A  tabular  com- 
parison of  the  mean  results  obtained  by  the  Missouri  station  and  in  the 
laboratory  of  the  Department  will  be  interesting: 


Total 
number 

of  sam- 
ples. 


Average 
weight. 


Sugar  in    Purity  CO- 
juice.       efficient . 


"Tinted  States  Department  of  Agriculture 

Agricultural  experiment  station  of  Missouri. 


:J24 
301 


Ounces.     Per  cent', 
20  11.7 

28  11.1 


73.5 
74.9 


As  will  be  seen  above,  there  is  a  remarkable  agreement  between  the 
mean  results  obtained  in  the  two  laboratories.  The  average  size  of  the 
samples  received  at  Washington  was  smaller  than  that  of  the  beets 
analyzed  at  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Missouri,  and  this  is 
doubtless  the  cause  of  the  slightly  increased  mean  percentage  of  sugar 
obtained  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  A  general 
study  of  the  results  obtained  leads  to  the  inevitable  conclusion  that 
Missouri  is  not  very  favorably  situated  for  producing  beets  of  the  high- 
est quality.  It  is  possible  to  secure,  in  some  instances,  results  which 
are  exceptionally  favorable,  but  that  such  results  could  be  secured  con- 
tinuously, and  from  season  to  season,  is  not  probable.  The  data  show 
that  the  whole  State  of  Missouri  belongs  in  the  same  category,  in  respect 
of  growing  rich  sugar  beets,  as  the  southern  parts  of  the  States  of  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  Illinois.  Even  the  northern  counties  of  Missouri  are  too 
far  south  to  give  the  best  results.  It  is  evident,  however,  in  so  far  as 
yield  is  concerned,  that  Missouri  is  probably  the  equal  of  any  State  in 
the  Union  for  growing  beets  of  fine  size  and  large  tonnage  per  acre. 
Unless  exceptional  conditions  favorable  to  manufacture  are  found  in 
the  State,  it  is  not  probable  that  the  sugar-beet  industry  will  gain  a 
foothold  for  some  time  in  competition  with  the  more  favorable  local- 
ities farther  north  and  east. 

Montana. 

Only  four  samples  were  received  from  the  State  of  Montana  at  the 
laboratory  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  average  weight  of 
the  samples  was  20  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
14.4,  and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  of  77.8. 

Analyses  were  also  made  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of 
Montana.     Fifteen   analyses  were  made  of    samples   grown  on  the 


8G  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IX    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

grounds  of  the  station.  The  average  weight  of  the  samples  was  14.8 
ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  16.2,  aud  the  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  of  the  juice  81.1).  Thirty  samples  grown  in  the 
Gallatin  Valley  had  a  mean  weight  of  22  ounces,  a  mean  content  of 
sugar  in  tbe  beet  of  13.7  per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of 
7G.4.  Eight  samples  grown  at  Livingston  had  an  average  weight 
of  24.7  ounces,  with  a  mean  sugar  content  of  13.8  per  cent  in  the  beet. 
and  a  coefficient  of  purity  of  74.3.  Nine  samples  from  Kalispell  had  a 
mean  weight  of  32  ounces,  a  mean  content  of  13.  ,*>  per  cent  of  sugar  in 
the  beet,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of  7G.L\  Four  samples  of 
beets  from  Missoula  had  an  average  weight  of  32  ounces,  a  mean  per* 
centage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  12,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of 
73.0.  Four  samples  of  miscellaneous  origin  had  an  average  weight  of 
23  ounces,  an  average  sugar  content  in  the  beet  of  12.7  per  cent,  and  a 
coefficient  of  purity  of  74.  The  whole  number  of  samples  analyzed  by 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Montana  was  70,  with  a  mean 
weight  of  23  ounces,  a  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  14.7  per 
cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of  77. 

The  results  obtained  at  the  experiment  station  show  what  can  be 
doue  by  careful  culture,  and  indicate  that  Montana,  under  proper  con- 
ditions, is  capable  of  producing  a  fairly  good  sugar  beet.  The  data  in 
general  are  sufficiently  encouraging  to  warrant  the  agricultural  experi- 
ment station  of  the  State  in  making  a  more  thorough  and  careful  agri- 
cultural survey  of  the  possibilities  of  beet  production. 

Nebraska. 

Thirteen  samples  grown  in  Nebraska  Mere  received  at  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  for  analysis.  The  mean  weight  of  the  samples 
received  was  21)  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  L2.9, 
and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  7(1.0.  The  studies  which  have  been  made 
in  Nebraska  have  been  so  thorough  in  previous  years  that  it  would  not 
be  advisable  to  make  any  deductions  from  so  small  a  number  of  samples 
as  Mas  analyzed.  In  connection  with  the  work  done  at  I  he  Department, 
the  following  report  of  the  chemist  of  the  agricultural  experiment  sta 
tion  of  Nebraska  may  be  considered: 

RRfll   i  |v   mi     EXPERIMENTS    IN    NEBRASKA. 

We  distributed  seed  t<.  133  persons.  Of  these  158  responded,  either  by  sending 
beets  <»r  written  communication,  or  both.  Of  tbe  L58,  106  returned  samples  of 
lor  analysis;  52  reported  failure  to  secure  crop.  Of  the  52  reporting  fail- 
ares,  1 1  said  that  the  see.l  failed  to  germinate;  1 1  ascribed  failure  to  dry  weather;  24 
gave  \  arious  reasons  for  failure,  13  stating  thai  tbe  crop  was  destro;  ed  by  grasshop- 
i  lost  their  crop  l».\  !■  ason  of  stook  incursions,  and  7  through  general  neglect. 

Putting  these  figures  in  t he  form  of  percentages i  36.4  per  cent  of  those  receiving 
seed  responded  In  Home  was  ;  67  per  cent  of  those  \\  ho  reported  to  us  sent  boots  for 
analysis;  26.9  per  oen1  of  failures  were  attributed  to  dry  weather;  2t;.!>  per  cent  of 
failnn  fctributed  to  pooi  seed;  25  pei  oen1  of  failures  wereoaused  by  grass- 

hoppers; 7.7  per  oeni  of  failure-  were  caused  by  cattle;  13.4  per  oenl  of  failures 
were  caused  bj  general  neglect. 

The  results  of  analyses  showed  an  average  of  12.3-1  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  87 

with  a  purity  coefficient  of  75.     The  highest  per  cent  of  sugar  in  juice  was  16.8  with 
a  purity  of  78.5.     The  lowest  was  4.6  per  cent  with  a  purity  coefficient  of  45. 

Beet  seed  was  sent  into  sixty-seven  counties  and  heets  were  received  from  thirty- 
six  counties. 

The  average  results  obtained  agree  very  closely  with  those  secured 
in  the  laboratory  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

So  long  a  time  has  elapsed  since  sugar-beet  growing  was  commenced 
in  Nebraska  on  a  large  scale  that  it  is  possible  to  form  some  idea  of 
the  adaptability  of  that  State  for  beet  growing.  The  soils  of  Nebraska 
are  mostly  very  fertile,  with  a  fairly  level  surface,  and  are  well  suited  in 
this  respect  to  beet  culture.  The  climatic  conditions,  as  will  be  seen 
by  consulting  the  map,  are  somewhat  variable,  and  the  rainfall  in  parts 
of  the  State  is  scant  and  in  all  parts  of  it  very  uncertain  in  respect  of 
distribution.  Periods  of  extremely  wet  weather  are  apt  to  alternate  with 
long  droughts.  Hot  winds  may  be  expected  over  many  parts  of  the 
State  during  the  period  of  most  rapid  growth,  and  these  winds  are 
extremely  injurious  to  all  kinds  of  vegetation.  The  winters  are  apt  to 
come  on  early  and  with  severity,  rendering  the  harvesting  season  some- 
what precarious.  There  is  no  doubt  of  the  fact  that  good  beets  can  be 
grown  under  favorable  conditions  in  Nebraska,  but  the  uncertainties  of 
the  season  are  such  as  to  indicate  that  there  will  not  be  a  very 
rapid  expansion  of  the  industry  in  that  State  until  more  favorable 
areas  have  been  thoroughly  exploited.  For  details  in  regard  to 
Nebraska  the  reports  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of 
Nebraska,  at  Lincoln,  may  be  consulted.  For  about  eight  years  this 
station  has  been  engaged  in  the  study  of  this  question,  and  has  pub- 
lished numerous  and  valuable  bulletins,  many  of  which  can  still  be 
obtained  by  applying  to  the  director  of  the  station. 

Nevada. 

A  large  portion  of  the  State  of  Nevada,  in  fact  the  whole  of  the 
northern  and  western  parts,  lies  within  the  thermal  area  suitable  to  beet 
culture.  Twenty-one  samples  of  beets  were  received  at  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  from  Nevada,  the  average  weight  of  which  was  25  ounces, 
the  average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  10.6  per  cent,  and  the  average 
coefficient  of  purity  81.1.  These  samples  all  came  from  the  parts  of  the 
State  lying  within  the  favorable  thermal  area.  The  agricultural  experi- 
ment station  of  Nevada,  at  Reno,  also  made  an  investigation  of  the 
possibilities  of  growing  beets  in  that  State,  and  lias  submitted  a  report 
on  the  subject.  In  all,  twenty-two  samples  were  received  at  Reno  for 
analysis,  the  average  weight  of  which  was  25  ounces,  and  the  average 
content  of  sugar  1G.9  per  cent,  the  purity  not  being  given.  These  data 
show  a  remarkable  agreement  with  those  obtained  by  the  Department 
of  Agriculture.  The  beets  were  grown  entirely  under  irrigation.  Some 
of  them,  however,  received  only  one  irrigation  and  others  as  high  as  live. 

The  results  obtained  at  the  station  itself  were  in  the  highest  degree 
satisfactory.    The  total  number  of  samples  grown  and  analyzed  at  the 


88  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

station  was  ten,  the  mean  weight  of  the  beets  was  19  ounces,  and  tbe 
mean  percentage  of  sugar  18.9,  purity  coefficient  not  given. 

31  r.  Stubbs,  the  director  of  the  station,  in  submitting  his  report, 
states  that  he  distributed  90  pounds  of  the  seed  received  from  the 
Department  to  thirty  farmers  residing  in  fifteen  counties.  Only  five  of 
the  thirty  farmers  sent  samples  for  analysis.  One  reported  failure  from 
stock  breaking  into  the  field  and  destroying  the  crop;  one,  failure  from 
lack  of  water,  and  one  stated  that  the  samples  of  seeds  sent  him  did 
not  arrive.  Mr.  John  Harrison  reports  that  there  are  20,000  acres  of 
land  in  a  single  body  such  as  he  used  for  growing  his  beets. 

All  the  samples  sent  to  the  Department  of  Agricluture  by  Mr.  Harri- 
son, ten  in  number,  were  from  Humboldt  County ;  the  average  weight 
of  the  samples  was  21  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beets 
18.8  per  cent,  and  the  mean  coefficient  of  purity  83.1.  It  is  evident 
that,  if  such  beets  as  these  can  be  grown  in  that  locality,  the  20,000 
acres  of  land  suitable  to  beet  culture  would  suffice  to  maintain  a  large 
factory,  which  must  of  necessity  prove  eminently  successful  if  fuel, 
limestone,  and  water  can  be  had  in  sufficient  abundance  and  sufficiently 
cheap  to  operate  it.  The  cultural  results  in  Nevada  are  of  the  high- 
est significance.  This  State,  which  is  devoted  chiefly  to  mining,  has 
very  small  agricultural  interests,  but  if  a  few  areas  capable  of  irriga- 
tion, like  that  at  Lovelocks,  in  I  iumboldt  County,  can  be  found,  Nevada 
should  become  a  beet  producing  State.  The  establishment  of  this  agri- 
cultural industry  could  not  fail  to  be  of  immense  benefit  to  the  Coin 
inon wealth.  There  is  no  other  State  in  which  the  reports  are  more 
favorable,  although  it  may  be  said  that  the  number  of  samples  is  not 
sufficiently  large  to  carry  absolute  conviction.  Nevertheless,  the  uni- 
form excellence  of  the  samples  can  not  be  the  result  of  accident,  but 
must  have  been  due  to  the  favorable  influences  of  soil  and  climate. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  this  State  will  do  well  to  make 
a  more  careful  survey,  and  especially  to  map  out  the  localities  where 
the  eon  tour  of  the  State  is  suitable  to  beet  culture  and  where  water 
can  be  obtained. 

\i:w  Jersey. 

A.8  lias  been  before  stated,  New  Jersey  is  traversed  from  the  south 
toward  the  north  by  the  mean  isotherm  of  71  for  the  three  summer 
months.  A  portion  of  it  is  therefore  within  the  theoretical  thermal 
bell  for  beet  growing.  In  general,  it  may  be  said,  however,  t  Imt  the 
temperature  will  be  found  a  little  too  warm  to  secure  the  best  results. 
On  the  Other  hand,  the  soil  of  New  Jersey  is  of  a  sandy  nature,  suited 
to  the  growth  of  a  beet   with  a  high  puritv. 

The  data  which  have  been  collected  during  the  season  from  New  Jer 
sey  are  encouraging.  The  whole  number  of  samples  received  from  the 
State  was  31,  the  average  weight  16  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar 
in  the  beet  11. 'J  per  cent,  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  81.4.  Essex  and 
Mercer  counties  each  furnished  seven  samples;  the  results  in  Essex 
County  were  fairly  good,  but  in  Mercer  County  were  poor.     Ocean 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


89 


County  furnished  eight  samples,  with  a  high  average  percentage  of 
sugar  and  purity  coefficient,  but  with  a  weight  only  half  the  normal. 

No  investigations  were  made  by  the  experiment  station  of  Xew  Jer- 
sey, but  Mr.  James  B.  Vredenburgh,  of  Jersey  City,  conducted  some  very 
careful  experiments  at  Freehold,  in  Monmouth  County.  The  following 
report  of  Mr.  Vredenburgh  is  interesting  and  contains  valuable  data. 

RESULTS    OF   EXPERIMENTS    IX    NEW    JERSEY. 

May  20, 1897. — I  had  one-quarter  acre  clover  sod  plowed  and  prepared  for  planting. 

May  22. — I  had  planted  four  kinds  of  beet  seed,  viz,  a  strip  of  111  by  2  feet  9 
inches  or  seveu  one-thousandths  of  an  acre  in  imported  Vilmorin. 

A  similar  strip  in  imported  Klein  wanzlebener;  a  similar  strip  in  Government  seed, 
and  the  balance  of  the  quarter  acre  in  cattle  beets. 

I  fertilized  the  whole  plot  equally  with  300  pounds  of  phosphate.  I  weeded  the 
beets  twice,  cultivated  them  five  times,  and  gathered  them  November  1. 

I  had  one  of  each  kind  analyzed  each  week,  commencing  August  3,  by  an  expert 
chemist,  the  result  of  which  I  herewith  inclose: 


Varieties. 

Weight. 

When 
gathered. 

Without 
tops. 

Pounds. 

258 
279 
236 

Pounds. 
239 

•258 

220 

The  Vilmorin,  therefore,  produced  at  the  rate  of  17^  tons  to  the  acre,  without  tops; 
the  Government,  18  tons  to  the  acre  without  tops;  Kleiuwanzlebener,  15  tons  to  the 
acre  without  tops. 

It  will  be  seen  that  by  far  the  best  result  came  from  the  Vilmorin,  the  purity  <>f 
the  juice  in  the  analysis  of  November  1  being  88.20. 

This  latter  result  was  from  an  average  of  three  beets,  one  small,  one  middle  size, 
and  one  large. 

The  cost  of  the  labor,  fertilizer,  etc.,  on  the  one-quarter  acre  was  about  $15. 

Eesult8  on  farm  at  Freehold,  Monmouth  County. 


Date. 


1897. 
Au».  30 


Sept 


Marked. 


Oct. 


15 
15 
15 
20 

•J  7 

27 

27 

4 

4 

4 

14 

14 

14 

20 

20 

20 

Nov.    1 

1 

1 


No  mark 

....do 

....do 

....do 

Government 

Klein  wan  zlebener 

Yilinorin 

No  mark  (Jack)  - .. 

<  rovernment 

Klein  wanzlebener 
Vilmorin 

<  rovernment 

K  lei  n  wanzlebeuer 

Vilmorin 

Government 

Klein  wan  zlebener 

Vilmorin 

Government 

Klein  wan  zlebener 

Vilmorin 

Government 

Kleinwanzlebener 
Vilmorin 


"freight  of  the  beet. 

Percen 

SUi. 

With 

With  top 

In  tin- 

top  on. 

out  off. 

beet. 

Pounds. 

Pounds. 

1.171 

1.088 

10.45 

1.384 

1.161 

11.15 

1.481 

1.168 

11.75 

1.251 

1.000 

11.85 

2.  093 

1.545 

9.  80 

1.  704 

1.329 

11.40 

1.724 

1.311 

12.40 

0.587 

0.  505 

14.30 

4.391 

2.923 

10.  40 

4.491 

3.  000 

10.  10 

4.  2(.<2 

3.058 

y.  90 

2.  097 

1.700 

12   i" 

1.633 

1.225 

12.00 

1.876 

1.479 

13.  80 

1.662 

1.474 

11.50 

2.  234 

1.770 

12.  30 

1.706 

1.474 

14.20 

1.583 

1.373 

13.50 

2.415 

2.037 

11.90 

2.150 

1.715 

14.30 

2.313 

1.757 

12.40 

1.380 

1.000 

13.10 

1.270 

0.958 

14.30 

In  the 

juice. 


Purity  co- 
efficient. 


11.30 
12.  50 
12.  55 


10.60 

12.  00 

13.  10 
15.60 
11.25 
10.35 
10.55 
13.25 

13.  10 
14.10 
12.75 
12.  75 
15.65 

14.  50 
12.70 
14.95 
13.50 
13.80 
15.35 


80.14 
83.  30 

79.  40 


80.  60 

83.  90 
M  50 
83.40 
81.50 

77.  24 

78.  17 
84.30 
82  10 
86.10 
80.  20 
81.70 

84.  L0 
82.00 
81.90 
83.50 
78.00 
83.10 
88.  20 


90 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Excluding  the  analyses  made  before  the  20tli  of  September,  which 
would  be  anterior  to  the  manufacturing  season,  and  including  all  of 
those  made  after  that  date,  we  find  that  the  sixteen  samples  analyzed 
had  an  average  weight  of  27  ounces,  a  mean  content  of  sugar  of  L2J5 
per  cent,  and  a  mean  purity  of  82.3.  These  data,  obtained  by  Mr. 
Vredenburgh,  in  conjunction  with  those  secured  from  the  analyses  of 
the  samples  forwarded  to  Washington,  indicate  the  possibilities  of  suc- 
cessfully establishing  the  industry  in  the  State  on  the  lands  which  are 
particularly  suited  thereto.  As  before  stated,  however,  the  danger  from 
a  slightly  too  high  temperature  must  be  expected,  and  Avhile  good 
beets,  capable  of  yielding  high  percentages  of  sugar,  and  with  high 
purities,  may  be  grown  in  New  Jersey,  it  is  scarcely  probable  that  they 
will  reach  as  high  a  grade  as  those  grown  farther  north. 

New  Mexico. 

Only  three  samples  grown  in  New  Mexico  were  received  at  this 
laboratory  for  analysis.  These  were  all  grown  in  Mora  County  by  the 
La  Oueva  Ranch  Company.  The  average  size  of  these  samples  was 
small,  but  the  content  of  sugar  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  of  the  juice 
were  high.  In  connection  with  this  work  the  report  of  the  director  of 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  will  be  found  of  interest. 

RESULTS    OK    EXPERIMENTS    IN    NEW    MEXICO. 

Tahle  1. — Analyses  in  the  chemical  laboratory  of  the  New  Mexico  Experiment  station 

prior  to  October  Jo,  1897. 


Locality. 


New  Mexico  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Mesilla  Park 
Harvested  Sept.  IS 

Harvested  Oct.  11 

Blue  Water: 

Harvested  Sept.  8 

Harvested  Sept.  BO 

Albuquerque 

Santa  l'o 

( lerro  

Dorsey  

i  bap ham 

I  ularosa  

Anthony 

Maxwell  City 

Hatch 

Socorro 

Lordsburg  

Blossburg 

Aztec  Subexperimenl  Station 

i  j,  etc    


Number 
of  sam- 
ples ana- 
lyz<  (1. 

Avei 

weight  of 
beets. 

J '<>u  mis. 

:ti 

l.l'l 

::i 

1.53 

4 

1.88 

4 

L.83 

3 

1.7:5 

7 

L.06 

3 

1.04 

l 

1 .  60 

i 

L.60 

•> 

1.98 

l 

1.  is 

a 

•J.  77 

i 

i 

.  1- 

i 

i 

i 

96 

1.61  , 

1 

A  v.  rage 

per  cent 
sugar  in 

the  juice. 


11.02 

12.47 

10.60 
L2.70 

13.  16 

14.  10 
17  03 
L2.60 
L5,  L0 

ll  -.'i 
11.. Ml 
111. 
11.60 
i..  50 

L0.8U 

13.18 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


91 


Table  2. 


Analyses  in  the  chemical  laboratory  of  the  Xeiv  ^^exico  Experiment  Station 
between  October  25  and  Xovember  15,  1897. 


Locality. 

Comity. 

Number 

of  sam- 
ples ana- 
lyzed. 

Average 
weight. 

Average 
per  cent 
sugar  in 
the  juice. 

5 
6 

1 
4 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
5 
1 
6 
1 

Pounds. 
1.5 
1.9 
1.9 
3.5 
2.7 
2.8 
3.2 
1.5 
2.1 
1.7 
1.1 
1.6 
1.7 
1.0 
1.9 
1.1 
1.5 

16  8 

do 

17.6 

do 

13  5 

10.6 

Bernalillo 

12  5 

San  Miguel 

13.5 

East  Lasvegas 

Pine  Spring 

Eaton 

Maxwell  City-         

do 

15.1 

13.5 

13  1 

do 

15.  3 

do 

15.4 

do 

13.9 

Hatch 

16.5 

Santa  Fe 

15.9 

Hobart                                      

do 

14.9 

17.6 

Taos 

18.6 

40 

1.7 

15.3 

Table  3. — Analyses  in  the  chemical  laboratory  of  the  New  Mexico  Experiment  Station 
between  Xovember  15  and  December  20,  1807. 


Locality. 


New  Mexico  Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 
Mesilla  Park. 

Harvested  Nov.  16 Dona  Ana  . 

Harvested  Dec.  15 

Sample  came  in  not  marked 

^Vatrous Mora 

Lacueva do 

Los  Lunas Valencia. .. 

Blue  Water do . 

Roswell Chavez 

Hagerman Eddy 

Santa  Fe Santa  Fe. .. 

Espanola do 

Jewett San  Juan  ... 

Las  Vegas  Subexperiment  Station San  Miguel 


Averages,  etc 


Number 

Average 

(ii  sam- 

Average 

per 

cent 

ples  ana- 

weight. 

sug 

aria 

lyzed. 

the  juice. 

Pounds. 

31 

1.7 

13.9 

27 

1.6 

13.9 

1 

1.5 

17.4 

1 

.8 

12.0 

2 

1.1 

15.6 

1 

2.  ."> 

14.5 

4 

1.2 

13.8 

3 

1.7 

13.8 

3 

1.2 

13.5 

3 

- 

18.0 

5 

1.6 

14.  1 

1 

•>  •> 

13.0 

1 

1.6 

17.6 

Our  work  is  still  in  ;m  incomplete  condition,  as  we  have  not  had  time  to  estimate  the 
coefficient  of  purity  and  consider  some  other  points  in  connect  ion  with  these  analyses. 
1  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  nearly  all  of  the  beets  analyzed  here  were 
grown  by  farmers  who  hail  had  no  previous  experience  in  growing  beets,  and  whose 
habits  of  farming  are  extremely  loose.  We  can  say  definitely  that  if  these  beets 
had  been  grown  under  such  conditions  as  would  he  expected  to  obtain  upon  a  well- 
regulated  farm,  the  results  would  have  been  verymuch  more  satisfactory.  We  know 
thai  the  conditions  under  which  the  most  of  the  samples  grew  on  the  station  farm 
here  were  not  of  the  most  satisfactory  kind,  as  we  are  trying  experiments  on  time 
of  planting,  time  of  harvesting,  variety  testing,  deep  and  shallow  plowing,  different 
modes  of  irrigation,  etc.  It  is  now  estahlished  beyond  a  douM  that  New  Mexico 
can  grow  large  crops  of  sugar  heets,  containing  a  very  high  percentage  of  sugar. 

Located  at  Eddy,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  Territory,  there  is  already  estah- 
lished a  sugar-heet  factory,  doing  a  successful  and  profitable  business. 

Iu  the  northern  portions  of  the  Territory  coal  is  comparatively  cheap,  and  the 


92  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

completion  of  a  railroad  now  in  process  of  building  will  very  materially  cheapen 
coal  in  the  .southern  part  of  the  Territory. 

Limestono  seems  to  he  scattered  pretty  well  throughout  the  Territory,  and  while 
we  have  not  had  time  to  go  fully  into  this  subject,  the  few  analyses  that  Ave  have 
made  indicate  that  the  Territory  affords  limestone  of  a  very  good  grade.  We  have 
just  taken  a  survey  of  the  limestone  and  waters  of  the  sugar-beet  districts.  The 
question  of  water  is  engaging  our  attention,  too;  and  we  believe  that  water  of  fairly 
good  quality  can  be  secured. 

There  is  a  lively  interest  taken  in  sugar-beet  work  in  all  parts  of  the  Territory, 
and  from  the  tables  herewith  inclosed  the  most  favorable  locations  can  easily  be 
selected.  Particular  attention  should  be  called  to  the  Rio  Grande  Valley,  especially 
the  northern  portion,  and  the  Animas  Valley.  This  latter  has  an  extensive  and 
abundant  supply  of  very  good  water,  but  at  present  no  railroad.  This  valley  seems 
to  be  a  very  promising  section  for  the  production  of  sugar  beets.  See  Aztec  and 
Farmington  in  the  tables. 

The  soils  of  the  Territory  contain,  I  think,  about  the  average  amount  of  nitrogen 
and  phosphoric  acid  and  about  the  usual  amount  of  potash.  They  have  a  decided 
advantage  over  the  soils  in  the  rainfall  districts,  because  the  fertility  is  largely  kept 
up  by  the  plant  food  contained  in  the  irrigating  water,  and  nearly  all  that  once  gets 
on  the  soil  remains,  as  very  little,  indeed,  is  lost  by  leaching  and  drainage. 

We  expect  to  publish  a  bulletin  about  the  1st  of  February,  giving  our  results  in 
detail. 

The  analyses  which  were  made  by  the  chemist  of  the  agricultural 
experiment  station  of  the  samples  received  by  him  are  classified  in 
accordance  with  the  time  at  which  they  were  made.  Ninety-six  analy- 
ses made  prior  to  October  25  showed  an  average  weight  of  the  samples 
of  26  ounces,  with  an  average  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  12.5  per- 
cent.    The  purity  coefficient  of  the  juice  is  not  given. 

Forty  samples  analyzed  between  the  25th  of  October  and  the  15th 
of  November  had  an  average  weight  of  27  ounces,  with  an  average 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  14.5  per  cent,  the  purity  coefficient 
not    1  > < m 1 1 <_;  stated. 

Eighty-three  samples  analyzed  between  November  15  and  December 
20  had  an  average  weight  of  2(>  ounces,  and  an  average  content  of 
sugar  in  the  beet  of  L3.4  per  cent.     The  purity  was  not  given. 

It  is  evident  thai  there  are  many  localities  in  New  Mexico  where  the 
conditions  of  temperature  are  most  favorable  to  the  growth  of  beets. 
There  are  also  large  areas  of  fairly  level  land  which  are  capable  of  irri- 
gation. Wherever  the  temperature  of  these  regions  is  sufficiently  low 
to  permit  the  proper  development  of  the  beet,  and  where  sufficient 
Water  for  irrigation  can  be  Secured,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the 
industry  may  be  established  and  prove  to  be  fairly  profitable.  While 
1  he  summer  days  in  New  Mexico  are  not  so  long  by  an  hour  or  more  as 

in  the  regions  farther  north,  the  amount  <>f  sunshine  w  hich  the  growing- 
beet  will  receive  is  practically  as  great  as  ID  more  northern  localities, 
because  of  the  comparative  absence  of  cloudy  and  rainy  days.  The 
remarks  which  have  already  been  made  in  regard  to  the  growth  of 
beetfl  on  irrigated  ureas  apply  to  New  Mexico.  This  is  a  subject  which 
demands  the  most  careful  scientific  study,  and  the  work  which  is  now 
doing  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  the  Territory  is  certain 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  93 

to  bear  excellent  fruits  in  the  near  future.  New  Mexico  is  provided 
with  a  beet-sugar  factory  in  the  extreme  southwestern  portion  of  the 
Territory,  and  thus  a  practical  demonstration  of  the  possibilities  of 
beet  growing  can  be  made.  It  is  difficult  to  secure  definite  data  from 
this  factory,  but  from  the  meager  reports  received  it  is  believed  that 
the  season's  work  has  not  been  so  successful  as  had  been  expected  from 
the  results  obtained  during  the  preceding  year.  Accounts  have  been 
received  of  a  mold  or  fungus  attacking  the  beets,  and  it  is  also  evident 
that  the  true  principles  of  irrigation  have  not  yet  been  thoroughly 
worked  out.  There  should  not,  however,  be  anything 'discouraging  in 
accidents  of  this  kind,  as  the  conditions,  upon  the  whole,  are  such  as 
to  warrant  the  expectation  of  final  success. 

New  York. 

On  January  16,  1894,  in  addressing  the  New  York  Farmers  Club  on 
the  subject  of  beet  sugar,  I  used  the  following  words: 

The  plateaus  of  the  great  West  subject  to  irrigatiou  are  especially  suited  to  the 
production  of  sugar  beets.  The  same  is  true  of  the  lands  of  certain  portions  of 
Nebraska  and  Dakota,  of  Iowa,  Minnesota,  and  Wisconsin,  of  northern  Illinois,  Indi- 
ana, Ohio,  and  New  York.  Recently,  in  passing  over  the  valley  of  the  Genesee  River, 
I  was  particularly  struck  with  the  quality  of  the  soil  and  its  suitability  to  beet  cul- 
ture. The  valley  of  the  Genesee  is  only  a  type  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  acres  in 
New  York  which  could  be  profitably  devoted  to  beet  culture. 

At  that  time  practically  no  experiments  had  been  made  to  determine 
the  suitability  of  the  soil  and  climate  of  New  York  for  producing  high- 
grade  beets.  In  fact,  not  until  the  last  year  has  any  systematic  attempt 
been  made  to  ascertain  the  capabilities  mentioned  above.  In  the  spring 
of  1896,  in  conversation  with  a  committee  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
agricultural  experiment  station  at  Geneva,  I  urged  upon  them  the 
desirability  of  studying  the  capabilities  of  New  York  for  beet  produc- 
tion. In  1897  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  in  cooperation  with  the 
experiment  stations  at  Geneva  and  Ithaca,  conducted  a  series  of  inves- 
tigations throughout  the  State  of  New  York,  which  has  given  data  of 
extraordinary  interest  and  importance. 

The  climatic  conditions,  as  respects  temperature  and  rainfall,  affecting 
the  State  of  New  York  have  already  been  discussed.  It  has  been  seen 
that  there  are  two  areas  in  which  the  thermal  conditions  are  particu- 
larly favorable,  separated  by  a  large  area  where  the  mean  summer 
temperature  is  less  than  69°.  It  has  already  been  pointed  out,  how- 
ever, that  a  lower  temperature  than  69°  is  still  highly  favorable  to  the 
production  of  beets  of  superior  excellence  if  coupled  with  conditions 
which  permit  their  maturity  and  harvest  in  time  to  avoid  the  severe 
frosts  of  winter.  These  conditions  exist  in  a  marked  degree  through- 
out the  whole  of  the  region  in  New  York  lying  between  the  Hudson 
Eiver  on  the  east  and  the  Great  Lakes  on  the  west,  excluding  the 
extreme  northern  portion,  where  the  altitude  and  mountainous  char- 
acter of  the  country  preclude  the  possibilities  of  beet  culture.    The 


94  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

whole  of  the  area  named,  therefore,  where  the  contour  is  favorable  and 
the  character  of  the  soil  suitable  may  be  regarded  as  a  prospective  area 
of  sugar-beet  culture. 

SAMPLES    RECEIVED   AT    THE   DEPARTMENT   OF    AGRICULTURE. 

From  the  seed  distributed  to  farmers  in  different  parts  of  the  State, 
225  samples  of  beets  were  received  at  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
for  analysis.  The  mean  weight  of  these  samples  was  21  ounces,  the 
mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  15,  and  the  mean  coefficient  of 
purity  82.4.  Every  county  in  the  State  reporting  results  showed  favor- 
able data.  The  counties  having  the  largest  number  of  samples  of 
course  gave  data  which  are  the  most  instructive. 

Cattaraugus  County  supplied  15  samples,  with  a  mean  weight  of  L8 
ounces,  a  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  15.1,  and  a  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  of  81.9. 

Chautauqua  County  furnished  45  samples,  with  a  mean  weight  of  21 
ounces,  a  mean  sugar  content  in  the  beet  of  1(>.G  per  cent,  and  a  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  of  S2.7. 

Erie  County  sent  37  samples,  having  a  mean  weight  of  19  ounces,  a 
mean  content  of  sugar  of  15.!)  percent  in  the  beet,  and  a  mean  coeffi- 
cient of  purity  of  S3. 9. 

Oneida  County  was  the  source  of  22  samples,  with  a  mean  weight  of 
11  ounces,  a  mean  sugar  content  of  13.(5  percent,  and  a  mean  coeffi- 
cient of  purity  of  81.8. 

Ontario  County  furnished  22  samples,  having  a  mean  weight  of  17 
ounces,  a  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beets  of  1."")  per  cent,  and  a  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  of  S3.4. 

Yates  County  supplied  15  samples,  having  a  mean  weight  of  23 
ounces,  a  mean  sugar  content  of  12.7,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity 
of  79.(1. 

The  uniformly  good  properties  of  so  large  a  percentage  of  samples 
collected  in  the  promiscuous  way  made  necessary  by  the  method  of 
the  experiments  show  beyond  question  the  favorable  auspices  under 

which  they  must   have  been  grown. 

In  addition  to  the  special  plot  work  on  high-grade  beets  which  was 
conducted  under  the  supervision  of  the  Geneva  station,  cooperative 
work  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  in  conjunction  with  the 
farmers  of  the  State,  was  also  carried  on.  From  the  whole  number  of 
packages  of  seed  distributed  by  the  station,  L35  samples  of  beets  were 
received  for  analysis,  and  the  results  obtained,  without  distinction  of 
Locality,  are  shown  in  the  following  report  of  I  director  Jordan : 

i.i   SI   LT8   I  'i     BX  PER]  MKNTS    l\    \iw     ,»  ORK. 

The  number  of  samples  reported  is  135,  whioh  came  from  :i  sufficient  number  of 
points  in  the  State  to  make  them  fairly  representative  of  the  conditions  prevailing. 

I  make  no  reporl  t<>  yon  <>f  the  production,  beoause  in  most  instances,  whenever 
the  tonnage  was  reported,  the  figures  appeared  t<>  as  t<>  be  unreliable  because  of  the 
methods  used  in  reaching  them. 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 
Kleinwanzlebener. 


95 


Beets  con- 

Number 

Average 
per  cent 

Coeffi- 

Average 

taining 

of  sam- 

cient of 

weight  of 

sugar. 
Per  cent. 

ples. 

beet. 

purity. 

one  beet. 

Ounces. 

11-12 

4 

12 

76.5 

20 

12-13 

11 

13 

75.4 

18 

13-14 

10 

13.8 

80 

14 

14-15 

11 

14.7 

80.  3 

17 

15-16 

15 

15.8 

84.3 

14 

1(5-17 

11 

16.5 

85.3 

16 

17-18 

13 

17.6 

85.2 

14 

18-19 

3 

18.5 
i 

85.9 

13 

nimorin  Improved. 


Number 

Average 
per  cent 

Coeffici- 

Average 

of 

ent  of 

weight  of 

samples. 

beet. 

purity. 

one  beet. 

Ounces. 

3 

■11.7 

75 

16 

5 

12.8 

76.7 

24 

9 

13.8 

82.4 

19 

8 

14.8 

83 

16 

17 

15.6 

82 

16 

9 

16.6 

87.5 

15 

6 

17.8 

85.4 

18 

2 

18.6 

83.8 

24 

My  chief  anxiety  with  regard  to  the  development  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in 
New  York  is  that  farmers  shall  not  reach  unwarranted  conclusions  concerning  the 

profits  of  their  side  of  the  work.  I  have  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  industry  will 
prove  more  profitable  to  our  farmers  than  the  production  of  several  crops  which  we 
arc  now  growing.  I  recognize,  of  course,  the  benefits  of  adding  to  our  list  of  crops 
another  one  which  will  have  a  ready  cash  market. 

There  appears  to  be  a  move  all  over  the  State  for  the  establishment  of  factories  at 
desirable  centers,  and  promoters  are  already  in  the  field  who  are,  as  a  rule,  urging 
the  farmer  to  invest  in  beet  sugar-factory  stock.  1  am  very  much  afraid  that  there 
will  bo  serious  misdirection  of  capital,  which  will  not  only  cause  the  farmer  to 
lose  money,  bnt  seriously  disappoint  him  in  regard  to  the  benefits  from  growing- 
sugar  beets.  My  judgment  is  that  the  matter  should  be  discussed  by  those  who  take 
the  lead  in  the  matter  in  the  most  conservative  way,  and  both  fanners  and  business 
men  should  be  severely  cautioned  to  proceed  slowly  and  only  after  extended  and 
careful  investigation. 

A  carefully  grown  crop  of  sugar  beets  yielded  on  the  experiment  station  farm 
this  season  at  the  rate  of  Hi;  tons  per  acre,  carrying  15.2  per  cent  sugar  in  the 
beet  and  Hi  per  cent  in  the  juice.  No  dependence  should,  in  my  judgment,  be  placed 
upon  the  reports  of  yields  of  25  and  30  tons  per  acre  of  high-grade  beets  in  this 
State. 

Iii  studying  the  report  of  Director  Jordan  we  sec  thai  of  the  Klein- 
wanzlebener variety  only  lour  samples  out  of  the  whole  Dumber  fell 
below  the  minimum  of  12  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beets,  and  of  the 
Vilinorin  variety  only  three.  This  is  without  doubt  a  remarkable  show- 
ing of  excellence,  in  so  far  as  the  content  of  sugar  is  concerned.  The 
caution  of  Director  Jordan  to  proceed  carefully  in  this  matter,  and 
with  a  due  study  of  the  factors,  is  perfectly  in  harmony  with  the  tenor 
of  the  reports  which  have  been  issued  by  the  Department  of  Agricul- 


96  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

ture,  on  the  subject  of  beet  sugar,  from  time  to  time  during  the  past 
fifteen  years,  and  is  deserving  of  careful  consideration,  both  by  intend- 
ing investors  and  farmers.  Our  reports  have  constantly  dwelt  upon 
the  danger  of  misdirected  enthusiasm  and  failure  to  study  properly  all 
the  factors  entering  into  any  enterprise  connected  with  the  manufacture 
of  sugar. 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Cornell  University,  at  Ithaca, 
also  cooperated  with  the  Department  in  the  experimental  work  in  New 
York.  Four  hundred  and  twenty-five  samples  were  received  for  analy- 
sis at  the  experiment  station  at  Ithaca.  The  data  obtained  on  analysis, 
arranged  by  counties,  are  given  in  the  report  of  Director  Roberts.  In 
this  report  the  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  juice  of  the  beet  only  is 
given,  the  mean  being  16.9.  Converting  this  number  into  terms  of 
the  sugar  in  the  beet,  the  percentage  becomes  16.1,  which  is  one  point 
higher  than  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  samples  from  New  York 
analyzed  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  coefficient  of  purity, 
83.5,  obtained  at  the  Ithaca  station  is  only  a  little  over  one  point  higher 
than  that  secured  from  the  analyses  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

Director  Roberts,  in  his  report,  estimates  that  the  mean  yield  per 
acre  obtained  in  the  State  of  New  York  was  17  tons,  but  as  his  esti- 
mate is  made  upon  the  returns  made  by  the  farmers,  many  of  which 
are  evidently  too  high,  it  is  not  final  as  a  source  of  deductions  in 
regard  to  the  average  yield  which  may  be  obtained.  It  is  not  at  all 
likely  that  an  average  yield  of  16  tons  per  acre  could  be  obtained,  even 
by  the  best  culture. 

The  counties  furnishing  the  data  with  the  most  weight  are  Broome, 
Chautauqua,  Erie,  Genesee,  Monroe,  Steuben,  and  Wayne.  Chautau- 
qua County,  especially,  is  to  be  regarded  on  account  of  the  mean  data 
being  based  upon  122  separate  samples,  in  which  the  mean  percentage 
of  sugar  in  the  juice  was  16. 8,  and  the  mean  coefficient  of  purity,  83.5. 
The  next  highest  number  is  furnished  by  Genesee  County,  where  fche 
mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  fche  juice  from  62  samples  is  1<;.(>,  and  the 
coefficient  of  purity,  82.9.  Monroe,  with  59  samples,  showed  a  mean 
sugar  content  in  the  juice  of  1  7.2  per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of 
purity  of*  83.9.  Brie  County,  with  38  samples,  gave  a  mean  content  of 
sugar  m  fche  juice  of  1  7.0  per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity 
of  st;.:;.     Wayne  County  furnished  27  samples,  having  a  mean  content 

Of  sugar  in  the  juice  of  H».7  per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of 

82.9.  Broome  Oounty  sent  25  samples,  containing  L6.2  per  cent  of 
sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a  coefficient  of  purity  of  81.8;  and  Steuben 
Oounty  furnished  24  samples,  containing  1<>._J  per  cent  of  sugar  iii  fche 
juice,  with  a  coefficient  of  purity  of  82.6.  Following  is  the  report  <>(' 
Prof  Roberts: 

The  600  pounds  of  sugar-beet  seed  sent  na  by  bhe  Department  of  Igrioultnre 
wen  distributed  to  over  800  farmeri  of  the  State,  with  directions  as  to  preparation 
of  the  soil,  planting,  and  cultivating.     During  bhe  growing  season,  the  larger  part  <>!' 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


97 


the  plats  was  inspected  by  an  officer  of  this  station  and  observations  made  as  to 
the  general  conditions  found. 

The  season  was  a  favorable  one,  and  in  nearly  all  cases  the  beets  made  good 
growth,  and  that  the  per  cent  of  sugar  was  satisfactory  will  be  shown  by  the  table 
of  analyses  given  later. 

It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  citizens  of  New  York  State,  both  capitalists  and  farmers, 
are  thoroughly  awakened  to  the  importance  of  the  subject  of  the  manufacture  of 
sugar  from  beets.  During  the  season  one  factory  has  been  in  successful  operation 
at  Rome,  N.  Y.  Other  factories  are  contemplated,  and  at  the  present  time  agents 
are  in  France  negotiating  for  machinery  to  be  used  in  a  large  factory  to  be  erected 
the  coming  season. 

Officers  of  this  station  attended  eight  meetings  of  farmers  and  capitalists  to  give 
information  and  advice  as  to  the  advisability  of  locating  factories  in  certain  sections 
of  the  State.  Abundance  of  capital  is  ready  to  be  invested  once  the  success  of  the 
industry  is  assured.  Farmers  feel  that  in  the  raising  of  sugar  beets  a  new  avenue 
is  open  for  them,  and  in  most  parts  of  the  State  favorable  for  the  growth  of  beets 
they  are  heartily  favoring  the  new  enterprise. 

When  the  various  experimental  plats  were  harvested,  agents  from  this  station  per- 
sonally superintended  the  taking  of  the  samples  and  the  calculations  of  yield  on  178 
of  the  plats.  To  those  farmers  whose  places  we  were  unable  to  visit  directions  were 
sent  as  to  how  the  samples  should  be  taken  and  the  yield  estimated;  so  it  is  believed 
that  this  report  of  results  is  a  fair  statement  of  what  can  be  done  in  New  York  State 
in  the  way  of  raising  sugar  beets. 

The  necessity  now  seems  to  be  the  education  of  the  farmers  in  the  system  of 
intensive  culture  necessary  for  the  successful  raising  of  the  beets.  The  farmers 
appreciate  the  importance  of  this  instruction,  and  are  eager  to  learn.  It  is  safe  to 
predict  that  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  beets  is  to  be  one  of  New  York's  promi- 
nent industries  in  the  near  future. 

The  following  report  is  furnished  by  our  chemists,  summarizing  the  results  by 
counties : 

Report  of  sugar-beet  experiments  in  New  York,  1897. 


County. 


Albany 

Broome 

Cattaraugus 

Caj  uga 

Chautauqua 

Erie 

Genesee 

Hi  i  kimer... 
Jefferson  ... 

I.i\  illusion  . 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Niagara . 


Sugar  in 
juice. 


Per  cent. 
17.25 
16.  23 

16.  94 

17.  34 
16.83 
17.  93 
16.62 
13.85 
16.16 
19.25 
17.22 
15.  08 
17.31 


Total 
Purity       number 
coefficient    of  sam- 
of  juice,    pies  ana- 
lyzed. 


81.8 
84.  5 
84.3 
83.5 
86.3 
■  82.9 
7!».  2 
81.0 
85.6 
83.9 
79.3 
83.4 


1 

25 

15 

10 

122 

38 

62 

1 

3 

1 

59 

3 

7 


County. 


Oneida 

Onondaga  

Orleans 

( )s\\  ego 

Saratoga 

Schuyler 

Seneca 

Steuben 

Tioga 

Tompkins 

Wayne 

Average 


Sugar  in 
juice. 


Per  cent. 
16. 16 
17.40 
17.20 
14.45 
20.  25 
16.26 
16.58 
16.  24 
18.73 
17.49 
16.74 


Total 

Purity 

numbei 

coefficient 

of  sam- 

of juice. 

ples  ana- 

lyzed. 

82.1 

4 

86.6 

1 

86.  1 

3 

76.  1 

1 

86.  (i 

1 

79.7 

2 

83.2 

5 

82.  C 

21 

82.7 

2 

83.1 

8 

82.  9 

27 

16.  89 


83.  5 


42.-) 


From  the  foregoing  data,  the  conclusion  is  inevitable  that  the  State 
of  New  York  stands  among  the  first  in  the  Union  in  its  capabilities  of 
producing-  beets  with  a  high  content  of  sugar  and  a  high  purity.  The 
meager  data  at  hand  also  show  that  a  lair  tonnage  per  acre  c;in  be 
secured.  It  is  evident  that  with  proper  fertilization  and  rotation  of 
crops  the  fertility  of  the  soil  can  not  only  be  maintained,  hut  even 
increased,  so  that  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  expect,  under  the  besl  con- 
JI.  Doc.  396 7 


98  BEET-S[JGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

ditions  of  culture,  that  the  mean  tonnage  per  acre  produced  in  the 
State  of  New  York  will  be  quite  equal  to  that  of  the  best  sugar  regions 
of  Germany.  Judging  by  the  data  obtained  from  a  single  season 
alone,  there  is  no  sugar-beet  producing  country  of  Europe  that  can 
compete  with  the  State  of  New  York  in  the  richness  of  its  beets.  If  a 
factory,  constructed  on  the  best  approved  modern  principles,  and  with 
every  facility  for  converting  the  whole  of  the  sugar  into  marketable 
form,  could  be  supplied  with  such  beets  as  were  grown  in  the  State  of 
New  Yoik  during  the  season  of  1897,  it  would  be  capable  of  placing 
upon  the  market  U40  pounds  of  pure  granulated  sugar  for  every  ton  of 
2,000  pound 8  of  beets  entering  into  manufacture.  When,  in  addition 
to  these  facts,  are  considered  the  cheapness  of  fuel,  the  abundance  of 
labor,  the  proximity  of  markets,  and  the  importance  of  the  dairy  indus 
try  in  its  relations  to  the  refuse  of  the  factory  as  a  feed,  it  is  seen  that 
there  is  no  place  in  the  United  States  which  oilers  more  favorable 
inducements  for  the  development  of  the  industry. 

ELEVATION   OF    REGIONS    «>1     NEW    YORK    SUITED   TO   BEET   CULTURE. 

A  contour  map  of  the  State  of  New  York,  showing  the  elevations 
above  tide  water,  is  found  in  the  filth  annual  report  of  the  meteoro- 
logical bureau  and  weather  service  of  the  State  for  1893.  The  eleva- 
tion in  the  region  of  the  Catskills  in  some  places  readies  an  altitude  of 
3,000  feet.  Immediately  west  of  this  mountainous  region,  and  extend- 
in-  to  Binghamtou  on  the  south  and  almost  across  the  State  through 
the  south  central  portion,  there  is  a  large  area  in  which  the  average 
elevation  is  1,000  feet.  In  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  State  there 
is  a  considerable  area  the  elevation  of  which  is  1,500  feet.  The  region 
of  the  Adirondack*  and  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  State  lias 
various  elevations,  but  as  these  regions  are  probably  too  far  north  for 
Successful  beet  culture  they  do  not  interest  us  here.  Starting  from 
Albany  with  an  average  elevation  of  100  feet  and  following  the 
course  of  the  New  York  Central  Railway,  we  pass  through  an  area  a 
large  portion  of  which  is  below  500  feel  in  elevation.  Prom  Koine 
through  Syracuse  and  as  far  west  as  Lyons  the  average  elevation  is 
less  than  500  feet,  with  the  exception  of  small  areas.  From  Lyons  to 
Buffalo  the  average  elevation  is  above  500  and  less  than  1.000  feet. 
Immediately  along  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario  the  average  elevation  is 
less  than  500  feet.  Passing  to  the  south  near  Rochester,  along  the 
Genesee  Valley,  is  a  considerable  area  below  500  feet  in  elevation. 

All  interest  ingdesrript  ion  of  the  physical  contour  of  the  State  is  given 

in  t  lie  report   mentioned  above  as  taken  from  the  work  oi  Prof.  Arnold 
Guyot.    This  description  is  as  follows: 

The  follow  inn  outline  of  the  orography  of  \<-w  York  is  substantially  as  given  by 
Prof.  Arnold  Guyot.  Further  details  are  exhibited  by  the  accompanying  relief 
map. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  99 

The  mass  of  the  State  is  a  triangular  table-land  elevated  1,500  or  2,000  feet  above 
the  ocean,  and  may  he  considered  the  northeastern  extremity  of  the  plateau  which, 
in  this  latitude,  forms  the  Avestern  half  of  the  Appalachian  system.  The  natural 
limit  of  this  helt  toward  the  west  and  north  is  the  large  depression  of  Lakes  Erie 
and  Ontario,  and  which  continues  down  the  course  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River  to 
the  ocean.  In  the  east  the  tahle-land  is  terminated  hy  the  deep  valley  occupied  hy 
Lake  Champlain  and  the  Hudson  River,  while  southward  the  highlands  extend 
without  interruption  into  Pennsylvania.  The  eastern  edge  along  the  Hudson  and 
Champlain  valleys  is  formed  hy  a  series  of  mountain  chains  more  or  less  isolated 
from  each  other,  and  hearing  the  highest  summits  in  the  State.  They  are:  The 
Highlands,  which  cross  the  Hudson  at  the  limit  of  the  coast  region;  the  Shawan- 
gunk  and  Catskill  mountains,  on  the  western  hank  of  the  river,  and  the  system  of 
the  Adirondacks,  covering  the  territory  between  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Champlain 
valleys.  Within  this  eastern  wall  the  true  mountain  chains  cease,  but  the  remain- 
der of  the  plateau  is  indented  hy  numerous  valleys,  the  bottoms  of  which  are 
generally  several  hundred  feet  below  the  common  level,  and  which  are  separated  by 
high  ridges.  A  remarkable  feature  is  the  deep  transversal  cut  which  forms  the 
valley  of  the  Mohawk  and  Lake  Oneida,  opening  a  channel  from  the  low  country  of 
the  Lake  region  to  the  Hudson  valley,  and  thus  dividing  the  main  plateau  into  the 
distinct  masses  of  the  Appalachian  and  Adirondack  systems. 

A  subdivision  of  the  central  or  Appalachian  highlands  is  due  to  the  deep  channel 
of  Seneca  Lake,  extending  from  the  plains  bordering  Lake  Ontario  southward  to 
the  valley  of  the  Susquehanna.  The  two  sections  of  the  highlands  thus  separated 
are  here  designated  as  the  eastern  and  western  plateaus,  the  former  extending  from 
the  central  lakes  to  the  Hudson  Valley,  and  the  latter  westward  from  the  central 
lakes  to  the  depression  of  Lake  Erie. 

North  Dakota. 

Only  four  samples  were  received  from  North  Dakota,  the  average 
weight  of  which  was  2S  ounces,  and  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in 
the  beet  10.5.  On  account  of  the  low  content  of  sugar,  purity  coeffi- 
cients were  not  computed. 

No  report  has  been  received  from  the  director  of  the  North  Dakota 
station  in  regard  to  any  work  which  has  been  carried  on  by  that  station. 
The  data  of  the  lour  samples  received  are  likely  to  be  misleading,  as  it 
is  evident  that  North  Dakota  is  capable  of  producing  very  much  better 
beets  than  are  indicated  by  the  data  in  the  analytical  tables. 

North  Carolina. 

By  consulting  the  map  it  may  be  seen  that  there  are  many  localities 
in  North  Carolina  where  the  thermal  conditions  are  favorable  tor  the 
growth  of  high  grade  beets.  It  is  doubtful,  however,  whether  upon  the 
summits  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  where  these  conditions  exist,  a 
sufficient  area  of  suitable  soil  could  be  secured  to  warrant  the  expecta- 
tion of  establishing  successfully  a  beet-sugar  industry  in  that  State. 

Only  seven  samples  were  received  from  North  Carolina  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture.  The  mean  weight  of  these  samples  was  23  ounces, 
and  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  9.1.     On  account  of  the 


100 


BEET- SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


low  polarization  of  the  samples,  it  was  not  deemed  necessary  to  make 
a  computation  of  the  coefficient  of  purity. 

Xo  analyses  were  made  at  the  laboratory  of  the  experiment  station 
of  North  Carolina  during  the  year,  although  the  director  of  the  station 
has  been  much  interested  in  the  work,  and  proposes  to  continue  it 
another  season. 

Ohio. 

Sixty-eight  samples  of  beets  grown  in  Ohio  were  received  at  the 
Department  laboratory  for  analysis.  The  mean  weight  of  these  beets 
was  22  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  13.8  per  cent,  and  the  mean 
coeffieientof  purity,  79.1.  Grouped  by  belts  into  northern,  central,  and 
southern,  the  character  of  the  beets  grown  in  Ohio  and  analyzed  at  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  is  shown  in  the  following  table: 

Summary  of  analyses  of  beets  from  Ohio,  bij  belts. 


Belts. 

Number 

of 
samples. 

Average 

weight. 

Sugar  in 
beets. 

Parity 

coeffi- 
cient. 

42 
19 

7 

Ounces. 

21 
2:5 
26 

14.1 
13.6 

12.7 

7ft  0 

75.7 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  the  northern  belt  of  the  State 
produced  the  best  beets,  both  in  content  of  sugar  and  purity,  and  in 
this  respect  the  data  obtained  by  the  Department  corroborate  in  every 
particular  those  secured  by  the  Ohio  Experiment  Station  mentioned 
below.  It  is  evident,  from  a  consideration  of  the  two  sets  of  data,  that 
the  northern  portion  of  Ohio  offers  favorable  inducements,  both  lor  the 
cull  are  of  the  beet  from  an  agricultural  point  of  view  and  by  reason  of 
cheapness  of  fuel  and  the  facilities  of  transportation  from  the  manu- 
facturing point  of  view.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  the  central  and 
southern  parts  of  the  State,  as  is  the  case  with  Indiana  and  Illinois, 
should  not  be  exploited  with  the  purpose  of  investing  money  in  the 
beet  sugar  industry  until  the  available  localities  in  t lie  northern  regions 
are  entirely  occupied. 

With  the  cooperation  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  the  agri- 
cultural experiment  station  of  Ohio  distributed  a  large  quantity  of  seed 

to  farmers  in  thai  State,  and  from  the  seed  bo  distributed  <>o7  samples 
of  beets  were  forwarded  to  the  station  and  analyzed.  The  results  of 
the  anal\  368  by  counties  are  given  in  the  following  table: 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


101 


EXPERIMENTS    CONDUCTED    BY   THE    OHIO    AGRICULTURAL   EXPERIMENT    STATION 

Summary  of  results  of  sugar-beet  investigation  for  Ohio,  1897. 


County 


Sr° 


Ashland  .. 
Ashtabula 
Auglaize  .. 
Belmont... 
Champaign. 


4 
2 
9 
1 
1 
Clark" 11 


Columbiana 
Coshocton  .. 
Crawford. .. 
Cuyahoga . . 

Darke 

Defiance 

Delaware  .. 

Erie 

Fairfield  . . . 

Fayette 

Franklin  — 

Fulton 

Geauga 

Greene 

Hardin 

Henry 

Highland  .. 

Hocking 

Holmes 

Huron 

Knox 

Lake 

Licking 

i*«gan 

Lorain 

Lucas 

Madison 


Grams. 
831 
679 

1, 128 
660 
825 
610 
610 
860 

1.095 
894 
864 
851 


Per  ct. 
12.7 
14.9 
14.4 
16.6  I 
13.2 
14.1 
18.4 
12.9 
13.8  ' 
12.9 
13.3  ; 
13.7 


76.0 
82.8 
77.0 
86.9 
77.6 
78.7 
83.6 
72.9 
77.1 
75.  5 
76.9 


County, 


4 

559 

14.9 

79.3 

1 

1,406 

15.0 

80.6 

5 

599 

12.8 

74.9 

0 

620 

14.6 

78.9 

5 

524 

15.3 

80.0  1 

24 

1,065 

14.1 

79.2 

6 

694 

16.3 

84.8 

11 

1,285 

9.9 

66.8 

4 

796 

12.1 

74.2 

33 

810 

15.3 

80.9 

1 

840 

13.2 

68.4 

1 

1,521 

7.2 

a  59.  0 

6 

680 

13.6 

81.0 

1 

303 

16.0 

76.1 

4 

642 

15.9 

81.9 

5 

789 

14.9 

82.7 

11 

562 

11.9 

74.9 

9 

779 

12.8 

80.0 

1 

520 

16.0 

81.2 

32 

889 

14.3 

78.5 

5 

711 

14.3 

76.8  1 

Marion 

Medina 

Mercer 

Miami 

Montgomery 
Muskingum. 

Ottawa 

Paulding 

Perry  

Pickaway  . . . 

Pike  .... 

Portage 

Putnam 

Richland 

Rosa 

Sandusky  ... 

Seneca  

Shelby 

Stark 

Summit 

Tuscarawas . 

Union 

Van  Wert . . . 

'Wayne 

"Williams 

"Wood 

"Wyandot 


§    • 

-  — 


fit   OS 


M 


6 

11 

3 
5 

13 
9 
1 
1 
1 
2 

19 
2 

31 
3 

10 


Southern  section  . 
Middle  section  ... 
Northern  section 


69 
146 
392 


Entire  State.  &607 


Grams. 

555 
947 

1,119 
773 
755 
566 
694 
802 
127 
710 
595 

1,554 
958 
496 
G97 
812 
702 
607 
712 
684 
865 

1,077 

1,064 
787 
979 
777 
605 


892 
924 
834 


867 


Per  ct. 
12.4 
13.9 
13.2 
12.6 
11.8 


14.4 
15.  7 
15.6 
19.1 
16.5 
14.0 
9.3 
13.1 
16.6 
13.5 
14.8 
14.8 
14.0 
15.3 
14.7 
14.8 
15.9 
12.5 
13.9 
16.2 
14.4 
15.1 


12.8 
13.9 
14.3 


:;.  5 

76.2 
77.2 

75.9 
73.5 
78.2 
78.8 
80.0 
80.9 
81.6 
77.8 
a  6  i.  7 
76.5 
83.4 
76.  6 
79.6 
77.5 
8,1.0 
80.8 
80.2 
79.1 
80.6 
73.1 
80.7 
80.2 
78.3 


7.-..  3 
78.0 
79.4 


78.7 


aNTot  included  in  average  of  State. 

b  Some  samples  were  received  without  name  and  address  of  grower. 

It  will  be  observed  from  the  above  table  that  the  number  of  samples 
analyzed  was  GOT.  Only  554,  however,  of  these  samples  figure  in  the 
averages  for  the  State,  the  others  having  been  rejected  for  computing 
purposes  by  reason  of  certain  abnormalties  which  they  presented.  The 
Ohio  results  are  exceedingly  encouraging  from  every  point  of  view, 
with  the  exception  of  purity  alone.  The  average  weight  of  the  beets 
was  867  grams,  equivalent  to  30.6  ounces.  The  average  per  cent  of 
sugar  in  the  expressed  juices  was  14  per  cent,  equivalent  to  13.3  per 
cent  in  the  beet,  and  the  average  coefficient  of  purity  of  the  juices  was 
78.7.  The  most  interesting  grouping  of  the  samples  is  shown  at  the  cud 
of  the  table,  particularly  so  because  in  the  State  of  Ohio  the  most  favor- 
able theoretical  thermal  conditions  prevail  only  in  the  northern  counties. 
The  grouping  of  the  total  number  of  samples  into  three  portions,  repre- 
senting the  northern,  central,  and  southern  sections  of  the  State,  shows 
in  a  convincing  manner  the  effect  of  thermal  conditions  on  the  sugar 
content  of  the  beet.  The  northern  counties  furnished  392  samples. 
with  an  average  weight  of  834  grams,  equivalent  to  ii!).4  ounces,  with 


102  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

an  average  percentage  of  14.3  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  equivalent 

to  13.6  per  cent  in  the  beet,  with  an  average  coefficient  of  purity  of  79.4. 
The  middle  section  furnished  14G  samples,  with  an  average  weight  of 
924  grains,  equivalent  to  3i\G  ounces,  with  a  mean  content  of  sugar  of 
13.9  per  cent  in  the  juice,  or  13.2  per  cent  in  tbe  beet,  and  a  mean 
coefficient  Of  purity  of  78.  The  southern  section  furnished  69  samples, 
with  an  average  weight  of  892  grams,  equivalent  to  35  ounces,  a  mean 
percentage  of  12.8  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice,  or  12.2  per  cent  in  the 
beet,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of  75.3. 

It  is  seen  by  the  above  that  there  is  marked  improvement,  both  in 
the  percentage  of  sugar  and  the  purity  of  the  juice,  in  the  beets  in  Ohio 
as  we  advance  from  its  southern  to  its  northern  border. 

The  results  of  the  work  of  the  experiment  station  of  Ohio  have 
already  been  published  as  Bulletin  No.  90  of  that  station,  and  interest- 
ing details  connected  with  the  above  data  can  be  found  therein.  The 
bulletin  also  contains  interesting  maps,  showing  isothermal  lines  and 
conditions  of  precipitation  in  the  State.  The  remarks  of  the  authors  of 
the  bulletin,  namely.  Mr.  A.  I).  Selby  and  Mr.  L.  M.  Bloomfield,  on  the 
general  character  of  the  results  are  interesting  and  are  found  below: 

Taken  as  a  whole,  these  analyses  seem  to  indicate  that  beets  of  good  quality  may 
be  grown  in  most  counties  of  the  middle  and  northern  sections  of  <  )liio.  and.  further, 
that  many  portions  of  the  southern  section  may  be  adapted  to  sugar-beel  growing, 
although  on  the  whole  less  promising  than  more  northerly  districts.  The  analyses 
from  layette,  Pickaway,  h'oss,  Pike,  and  Perry  counties  appear  encouraging.  The 
sugar  content  in  h'oss  County  is  decidedly  reassuring,  though  the  purity  is  slight  ly 
below  the  standard.  .Judging  by  the  samples,  this  might  have  been  greatly  improved 
by  more  careful  culture  and  better  selection  of  typical  specimens.  The  unfavorable 
results  in  Greene  and  Montgomery  counties  are  not  taken  to  indicate  what  may 
really  he  done  in  these  counties.  For  the  southern  section,  and  particularly  the  \al 
ley  districts,  further  trials  should  be  made.  Close  planting  should  he  practiced  on 
rich  lands. 

For  the  middle  section,  as  a  whole,  good  sugar  beets  may  apparently  be  grown 
when  growers  have  learned  what  to  avoid  in  planting  and  culture.  The  low  aver- 
ages in  samples  from  Mercer,  Hardin,  and  Coshocton  counties  may  not  certainly  bo 
taken  as  conclusive  evidence  of  condil  ions  unfavorable  to  sugar-beet  culture.  Those 
reported  from  sandy  soils  in  Mercer  County  show  a  fair  purity.  The  results  from 
Belmont,  Muskingum,  and  Tuscarawas  counties  point  to  better  things  in  the  eastern 
counties  than  previously  anticipated.  More  trials  in  this  region  another  year  are 
certainly  warranted  by  these  analyses. 

anticipated  from  previous  trials,  it  is  the  northern  section  which  makes  the 
most  favorable  showing  as  a  whole.  Samples  were  received  from  everj  county  of 
the  northern  section  except  Trumbull,  Mahoning,  Hancock,  and  Allen  A.  sample 
was  received  from  Columbiana  Count]  after  the  tables  had  been  completed.     While 

tie     lake  shore  district  shows   to  good  advantage   here,  the  count  ies  situated  along 

the  summer  Isothermal  of  70  P.  are  but  slightly,  if  at  all,  inferior,  though  repre- 
sented by  a  much  larger  Dumber  of  samples.  Ottawa  County  gives  a  low  purity 
with  a  high  sugar  content,  L5.7  percent.  It  will  i>c  noted  that  a  large  number  of 
Bample    Is  no!  conducive  t<>  extremely  high  averages  in  the  tables. 

In  fact,  practically  all  the  counties  of  the  Slate  show  a  rat  her  high  sugar  content, 

ll  per  cent  in  juice  when  all  are  averaged,  and  11  is  to  the  coefficient  of  apparent 
punt  \  that,  we  must  direct  our  attention  to  discover  differences.  Under  all  the  cir- 
cumstances an  average  pnnt\  of  78  and  ahove  may  he  I  a  ken  as  fairly  satisfactory 
for  tin 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


103 


It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  when  these  results  are  considered,  that  the  percentages 
were  obtained  for  the  most  part  in  comparatively'fresh  samples,  from  which  ou'y 
the  leaves  had  been  removed.  Topping  the  beets,  as  for  factory  use,  was  not  encour- 
aged, owing  to  the  risk  of  water  loss  by  evaporation.  This  has  led,  possibly,  to 
lower  percentages  than  where  beets  were  topped  and  sent  considerable  distances  by 
mail.  While  the  actual  sugar  content  would  be  but  slightly,  if  at  all,  reduced  by 
loss  of  water,  the  apparent  sucrose  per  cent  would  be  changed. 

Oklahoma. 

Only  one  sample  of  beets  was  received  at  the  laboratory  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  from  Oklahoma.  The  average  weight  of 
the  beets  composing  the  sample  was  10  ounces,  the  mean  percentage 
of  sugar  iu  the  beets  11.8,  and  the  coefficient  of  purity,  72.5.  The 
director  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station  has  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing report  of  the  analyses  of  21  samples,  showing  a  mean  percent- 
age of  sugar  in  the  juice  of  12,  and  in  the  beet  of  11.4,  and  a  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  of  G5.3.  The  mean  coefficient  of  purity  as  obtained 
at  the  experiment  station  of  Oklahoma  is  phenomenally  low.  These 
data,  taken  in  connection  with  the  climatic  conditions  which  prevail  in 
that  Territory,  are  sufficient  to  indicate  that  there  is  no  prospect  of 
establishing  a  beet-sugar  industry  in  Oklahoma. 

RESULTS  OF  EXPERIMENTS  IN  OKLAHOMA. 

Seed  and  culture  directions  were  sent  to  farmers  in  each  county,  and  the  number 
of  requests  for  seed  quickly  exhausted  the  available  supply.  But  twenty-four 
reports  were  received  and  twenty-one  authentic  samples  examined.  Of  the  three 
total  failures  reported,  one  is  stated  as  due  to  flood,  another  to  drought,  and  the 
third  to  hail.  The  yield,  judging  from  the  vague  and  indefinite  reports  which  I 
have  been  able  to  secure,  varied  greatly.  It  seems  that  in  many  cases  the  seed  was 
so^Yn  too  far  apart  in  the  drills  and  that  but  little  regard  was  paid  the  culture- 
directions  sent  out.  In  general,  a  poor  stand  was  secured,  and  the  majority  of  those 
reporting  are  not  enthusiastic  as  to  the  prospects  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in 
Oklahoma. 

I  inclose  a  tabular  statement  of  the  results  of  analyses  of  beets.  The  low  coeffi- 
cient of  purity  of  the  juice  is  especially  noticeable. 

Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  Oklahoma  Territory,  1S97. 


County. 


Jlllce-     i   purity. 


Canadian  . 

Do  .... 

Do  .... 
Cleveland  . 

Custer  -  .  .  . 
Garlield  ... 
Kingfisher 
Lincoln  ... 

Do.... 

Do  .... 

Do  .... 
Logan  


rer 


cent. 

9.3 
13.0 
10.1 
13.0 
13.  9 
L2.  6 
14.9 
10.8 
10.8 
13.9 
10.1 

9.6 


53.1 
60.3 
62.  7 
74.3 
68.  1 
67.3 
66.'2 
73.  0 
57.7 
81.8 
60.  1 


County. 


Logan 

Oklahoma 

Pawnee 

Payne 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Do 

Pottawatomie  . 

Average 


Coeffi- 

Sugar  in 

juice. 

purity. 

Per  cent. 

9.3 

58.1 

14.0 

78.6 

12.2  1 

17.7 

72.  5 

11.9 

54.3 

11.8 

64. :: 

11.8 

63.1 

8.4 

52.  I 

12.8 

81.2 

12.0 


(5.3 


Oregon. 

No  samples  of  beets  were  received  tit  the  Department  from  the  State 
of  Oregon  during  the  season.  Previous  analyses  of  beets  received 
from  that  State  have  shown  uniformly  a  high  content  of  sugar  and  a 


104 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


high  coefficient  of  purity.  The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Ore- 
gon for  several  years  has  devoted  a  great  deal  of  time  and  attention  to 
the  study  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  in  that  State  and  published  valu- 
able reports  on  the  subject.  Mr.  G.  W.  Shaw  has  prepared  a  resume 
of  the  work  of  the  station  and  of  the  Department,  which  contains  the 
summaries  of  the  work  done,  with  various  comments  on  the  data 
obtained.     This  report  is  given  below. 

RESULTS  OF  EXPERIMENTS  IX  OREGON. 

In  his  notes  on  the  analyses  of  beets  for  the  season  of  1891,  Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley,  chem- 
ist of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  said  :  "  The  samples  from  Oregon 
are  uniformly  rich  in  quality,  and  if  they  truly  represent  the  capabilities  of  the 
State  there  is  certainly  a  bright  future  for  the  sugar-beet  industry  on  that  portion 
of  the  Pacific  coast."  This  was  said  relative  to  a  series  of  33  analyses  made  at  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  which  gave  the  following  average  results: 
wright,  644  grams;  sugar  in  the  juice,  14.5  per  cent;  purity,  82.2. 

It  was  to  obtain  a  decided  answer  to  the  question,  i{  Does  Oregon  possess  the  requi- 
site conditions  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  beets  ?  H  that  the  writer,  as  chemist 
of  the  Oregon  Experiment  Station,  began  a  series  of  experiments  with  beets  in  1891, 
which  were  continued  in  1892  and  again  in  1897.  The  results  of  these  investigations 
are  here  briefly  set  forth,  more  detailed  account  of  which  may  be  had  by  applying 
to  the  station  for  Bulletin  Xo.  44. 

The  sugar  beet  does  not  differ  from  other  plants  in  requiring  certain  conditions  of 
climate  and  soil  to  give  favorable  results.  In  foreign  countries  both  of  these  ques- 
tions have  been  pretty  satisfactorily  settled,  but  in  some  parts  of  the  United  States 
the  plant  seems  to  thrive  under  very  different  conditions  than  obtain  in  foreign 
countries.  Notably  is  this  true  concerning  the  rainfall,  as  is  illustrated  in  the  case 
of  California  and  Utah,  as  well  as  in  the  experimental  culture  in  Oregon,  as  will 
appear  later;  hence  foreign  countries  can  not  be  taken  as  representing  the  only 
conditions  under  which  the  root  will  thrive.  However,  it  does  there  thrive  and  these 
conditions  can  by  no  means  be  ignored.  It  also  thrives,  and  that  splendidly,  in 
our  own  ( 'alifornia.  hence  her  conditions  can  not  be  disregarded  in  a  consideration  of 
this  question.  Let  us  examine  Oregon's  condition  of  climate  and  soil  that,  if  pos- 
sible, we  may  obtain  some  a  priori  ideas  on  theso  lines. 

The  season  for  the  growth  of  beets  may  ho  divided  into  three  periods— that  of 
germinating,  that  of  plant  formation,  and  that  of  sugar  storing.  The  following  is 
a  comparative  table  showing  the  temperature  averages  for  Germany  and  certain 
parts  of  Oregon  during  these  periods: 

Average  temperature  for  periods  of  growth. 


a  \  eragi  temperature. 

P<  i loci  of   £D>\\ 'tli. 

Willa.n 

.1  to 
v:illr\  . 

Southern 
( iregon. 

68.  B 
M.  8 

64  ". 

84    i 
63.  8 

58.  B 



Second  

84  B 

Third              

Taking  as  a  basis  Dr.  McMurtrie's  mean  Isotherm  for  augar  beel  culture  at  To  for 
June,  .July,  :•:  I  August,  Dr.  Wiley,  in  Ins  report  npon  i>eet  culture,  giv<  a  a  map  of 
ile-  United  States,  ihowing  l"<>  miles  on  each  side  of  this  isotherm,  within  which  area 
favorable  results  may  bo  looked  for. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


105 


It  is  in  the  rainfall  of  the  State  that  we  find  the  greatest  seeming  deviation  from 
those  portions  of  the  world  which  are  taken  as  typical  beet-producing  regions.  This 
seeming  difference  should  not  he  considered  as  a  too  serious  drawback,  nor  would  it 
appear  so  to  those  acquainted  with  all  the  conditions.  The  average  amount  of  rain- 
fall does  not  differ  much  from  that  of  the  beet-growing  regions  of  other  countries, 
yet  it  is  not  so  evenly  distributed.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  the 
soils  of  Oregon  are  much  different  with  respect  to  their  retentiveness  of  moisture, 
and  that  for  all  our  crops  the  necessary  moisture  nearly  all  falls  during  the  "wet 
season,"  and  for  this  reason  we  do  not  usually  consider  the  monthly  rainfall  as  bear- 
ing so  close  relation  to  the  crops  as  it  does  in  most  other  States,  but  rather  are  wout 
to  consider  the  seasonal  precipitation  as  the  more  important  factor.  In  this  respect 
ours  is  similar  to  the  condition  which  obtains  in  our  sister  State,  California,  in 
which  the  beet  industry  has  reached  a  high  state  of  development. 

Champion  and  Pellet  consider  phosphoric  acid  as  an  indispensable  base  for  the 
formation  of  sugar  in  the  beet.  They  classify  the  order  in  which  the  plant  food  is 
indispensable  as  follows:  (1)  Phosphoric  acid,  (2)  lime,  (3)  nitrogen,  (4)  potash. 

It  is  foreign  to  our  purpose  to  discuss,  at  this  time,  the  soils  of  Oregon  to  any" 
length,  but  in  connection  with  the  last  statement  I  desire  to  direct  attention  to 
the  fact  that  the  soils  of  Oregon  are  well — yes,  abundantly — supplied  with  phos- 
phoric acid;  that  they  surpass  those  of  France  in  lime  and  equal  them  in  potash. 
Below  are  contrasted  analyses  of  some  of  the  French  sugar-beet  soils  with  those  of 
the  natural  divisions  of  this  State  and  those  of  California.  These  results,  I  think, 
speak  for  themselves,  and  need  no  further  comment. 

Average  comparative  composition  of  soils. 


France. 


Oregon. 


Analysis  of  fine  earth. 


Soinme. 


Nord. 


Eastern,  ^f^f*  S 


Califor- 
nia. 


Insoluble  matter 

Soluble  silica 

Potash  (K20) 

Soda  (Xa20) 

Lime  (CaO) 

Magnesia  (MgO) 

Manganese  (Mn304) 

Iron  (Fe.03) 

Alumina  (A1,03) 

Sulphuric  acid  (S03) 

Phosphoric  acid  (P205) 

Carhonic  acid  (C02) 

Water  and  organic  matter . 

Other  matter 

Humus 


81.80 

.06 
.09 
.51 


2.88 
7.24 


.09 

.40 
5.60 
1.85 


82.50 

.14 
.42 


2.18 
8.62 


66.59 
13.12 
.43 
.22 
1.22 
.75 
.10 

10.69 

.04 
.14 


6.21 


1.44 


65.18 

5.02 

.23 

.18 

.83 
.79 
.08 

16.45 

.03 
.21 


10.77 
"i.63 


62.45 
8.74 
.34 
.21 
2.22 
.80 
.25 

15.35 

.01 
.13 


9.52  | 


2.25 


67.88 

8.96 

.64 

.28 

1.08 

1.49 

.06 

15.02 


4.40 


Measured,  then,  by  the  foreign  conditions  as  to  temperature  and  the  California 
conditions  as  to  rainfall,  and  with  a  soil  amply  supplied  with  all  the  elements 
necessary  to  produce  abundant  crops,  Oregon  would  certainly  seem  favored  with  all 
the  requisites  for  success  in  beet  culture. 

The  analyses  made  at  the  station  during  the  season  of  1891-92  may  be  Bnmmarii  ed 
as  follows: 

County  averages  for  1891, 


County. 

No. 

Sugar. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

County. 

No. 

Sugar. 

Parity  co- 
efficient. 

39 

7 
1 
9 

12.  30 
14.  55 
13.74 
12.  99 

74. 12 
77.  30 

79.  42 
73.45 

79.  95  j 
79.91 

1 
1 

15.98 

14    7" 

Polk  .. 

3           1  f>.  84 
11           13.98 

1            10. 73 

7n  89 

7>   7!t 

3           18. 93 
16            14.32 
5  1 

Vaiuhill 

. 

Average 

14.  13               78.  OH 

106 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


An  examination  of  the  results  reveals  that  the  analyses  had  a  wide  range,  viz: 
From  6.77  per  cent  to  22.44  per  cent  sugar  in  the  juice.  01'  the  95  anal\  sea  made,  8 
fell  helow  10  per  cent;  76  showed  over  12  per  cent,  and  37  over  14  per  cent  sugar. 
An  average  of  81  analyses  for  the  Willamette  Valley  shows  13.76  per  cent  sugar  and 
a  purity  coefficient  of  77.89;  the  average  beet  weighing  a  little  o^  er  1^  pounds,  while 
an  average  of  10  analyses  of  beets  from  southern  Oregon  showed  13.38  per  cent  sugar 
with  a  little  larger  beet.  But  this  does  not  really  show  the  capabilities  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State,  as  will  appear  later,  for  there  were  quite  a  number  of  immature 
beets  included  in  this  average. 

Experiments  of  1892. — For  the  investigations  of  1892  the  following  varieties  were 
used,  Desprez's  Early  Rose,  Vilmorin's  Improved,  Kleinwanzlebener,  and  White 
Imperial,  all  of  which  are  favorite  kinds,  the  first  being  much  used  in  California. 
Unfortunately  the  seed  was  delayed  in  reaching  us,  so  it  could  not  be  distributed  to 
the  farmers  as  early  as  it  should  have  been  to  secure  the  best  results.  Had  the  seed 
reached  us  in  due  time,  it  could  have  been  put  into  the  ground  in  April,  for  at  that 
time  there  was  favorable  weather  for  seeding,  but  by  the  time  the  seed  had  been  dis- 
tributed cold  weather  set  in  and  continued  till  May,  after  which  the  weather  became 
very  dry,  rendering  the  conditions  for  a  fair  trial  very  unfavorable. 

The  rainfall  for  the  season  was  below  the  normal  and  reports  all  read  "very  dry." 
"  extraordinarily  dry,'"  "weather  very  unfavorable."  In  fact,  nearly  all  the  beets  in 
the  eastern  portion  of  the  State  failed  to  mature,  and  in  many  instances  the  seed 
failed  to  germinate.  So  far  as  the  season's  climate  is  concerned,  then,  the  experi- 
ments were  greatly  handicapped  and  we  were  "in  pursuit  of  knowledge  under 
difficulties." 

The  cultivation  for  this  season  was  the  same  as  for  the  previous  year,  except  that 
the  rows  were  placed  20  inches  apart. 

Owing  to  the  disturbed  condition  of  the  experiment,  the  results  are  doubtless 
poorer  than  would  have  been  the  case  had  the  season  been  one  of  more  nearly  normal 
conditions.  Still,  the  results  confirm  the  conclusions  of  the  previous  year,  that  Oregon 
9868  ihe  conditions  necessary  for  the  production  of  excellent  beets  for  the  pur- 
ple of  beet-sugar  manufacture. 

Expressed  by  counties  the  averages  are  as  follows: 

Averages  for  1892  by  counties, 


County 


Benton  — 

<  iat  k.iinas 

Douglas  .. 
Jackson  .. 

Lane  

Lincoln  . . . 
Linn  .  .. 
Marion  . . . 


Number 
of 

analyses. 


Purity  co- 

t<»r 1892. 

efficient. 

12.80 

86.50 

16  m 

87.  s:< 

If).  2(1 

81.15 

If.,  (id 

81    71 

L5.20 

84.  05 

16  20 

88  00 

i7.  in 

78.  74 

i:j.  ho 

74.  CO 

County. 


I'olk 

Onion 

Washington 

Va.nliill   .... 

Josephine.  - , 

Wasco 

Malheur 


Number 

A.verage 

of 
analyses. 

5 

for  1892. 

14.60 

7 

19.80 

10 

16  60 

5 

18.70 

2 

15  7" 

1 

21    L0 

1 

20.  20 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 


78.  :w 
87.  ;t:{ 
78  7'-' 
82.  88 
8fl  00 
90.  50 
84.90 


The  average  of  all  analyses  for  the  State  was  15.7  per  cent  sugar  in  the  juice,  with  a 
purity  coefficient  of  78.08,  against  L3.75  per  cent  and  a  puritj  of  77.57  for  t  be  previous 
season.  Ont  of  the  65  analyses  made,  only  11  indicated  less  than  l-  percent  sugar  in 
t  he  juice,  and  41  samples  Indicated  over  M  per  cent,  the  extremes  being  9.4  per  cent 
and  23.8  per  cent.    The  ■> \  erage  foi  t  he  diil'eront  natural  di\  isions  of  t  he  State  w ere 

as  follows: 

/'<•/  f,  ni . 

Willamette  Valley,  1 1  samples 1 1.7 

in  Oregon,  11  samples L9.2 

Southern  ( taregon,  L0  samples L5.1 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE   UNITED    STATES. 


107 


While  from  1893  to  1897  no  definitely  outlined  experiments  have  been  conducted, 
yet  the  station  has  furnished  more  or  less  seed  to  various  parties  who  have  sent  the 
beets  to  be  analyzed.  In  other  cases  beet  seed  has  been  furnished  by  other  parties, 
and  analyses  have  been  made  in  all  cases  when  beets  were  forwarded  to  the  station. 
The  average  of  the  results  of  23  analyses  made  since  1892  shows  15.05  per  cent  sugar 
in  the  juice  and  a  purity  coefficient  of  89.8. 

Average  of  all  results. — Let  us  now  collect  the  results  to  1897  which  have  been  thus 
separately  set  forth.  In  the  same  table  I  beg  to  include  the  averages  from  analyses 
made  at  Washington,  D.  C,  by  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  These 
last-mentioned  results  really  indicate  a  little  too  high,  probably  about  10  per  cent, 
on  account  of  the  time  that  necessarily  elapsed  between  harvesting  and  analyzing, 
which  would  result  in  a  loss  of  water. 

Expressed  by  counties  the  averages  are  as  follows : 

Average  of  all  analyses  for  each  county. 


County. 

Number 
of  anal- 
yses. 

Average 

of  analyses 

made  at 

station. 

Purity 
coefficient. 

Number 
of  anal- 
yses. 

Average 
for  United 
States  De- 
partment 
of  Agricul- 
ture. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

42              12. 57 
8               15.62 
1               1 3.  74 

79.63 

78.76 
79.42 

5                14.34 
3  !            15.36 
3  |            15.30 

5  14.56 
1  1            17.74 
1               18.94 

6  14. 24 

82.8 

84.2 

81.7 

0 

18 

82.6 

14. 10 

77.98 
81.00 
80.19 

84.3 

4               17. 93 
18               14. 42 

83.9 

85.4 

6  14.13 
4               15.17 

16               14.54 
30               18. 61 
2               15. 29 

7  12. 87 
2               15.70 
1               21.10 
1                20. 20 

73.  43 

74.  60 
74.10 
85.10 
80.  98 
82.76 
81.21 
90.50 
83.44 

1  14.15 

2  14.15 

1  12.10 

2  14. 35 

3  12.49 

0  1 

0    

79.4 

81.1 

Polk 

79.8 

81.8 

80.7 

Yamhill 

0 

0 

1 
1 

0 
0 

1 

13.  55 

15.12 

72.2 

80.9 

16.90 

76.80 

1  Averaged  with  Benton  County. 

If  we  omit  from  the  average  those  beets  which  were  immature  or  overgrown,  the 
averages  for  the  State  will  be: 


Sugar. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

Season  of  1 891 ,           

14.3 
15.9 
15.0 

78  2 

Season  of  1892  

81.4 

Since  1 892 

84.8 

15.  0 

81.5 

I  hiring  the  season  just  ended,  1897-98,  the  experiments  were  continued,  but 
were  limited  for  the  most  part  to  those  portions  of  the  State  which  seemed  to  offer 
not  only  the  best  conditions  for  growing  beets,  but  also  presented  other  favorable 
economic  conditions,  for  unless  the  requisites  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar  can  be 
had  as  well  as  the  beets,  it  is  useless  to  expend  labor  in  an  attempt  to  show  that  we 
can  grow  good  beets.  In  these  experiments  the  conditions  were  not  particularly 
favorable — indeed,  were  adverse,  inasmuch  as  the  ground  was  entirely  prepared  in 


108 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


the  spring  and  the  seed  was  late.     The  results  obtained  in  the  localities  selected  are 
given  "below : 


County. 


Washington.. 
Clackamas  . . . 

Union 

Jackson  

Miscellaneous 


Weight. 

Sugar. 

Grama. 

Per  cent. 

395 

is.  a 

508 

13.8 

477 

17.5 

4:;7 

15.6 

512 

14.1 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 


Per  cent. 
85.9 
83.4 

81.0 
85.8 


Pennsylvania. 

Fifty-nine  samples  of  beets  grown  in  Pennsylvania  were  received  at 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  laboratory  for  analysis.  The  mean 
weight  of  the  beets  in  the  samples  was  IS  ounces,  the  mean  content  of 
sugar  in  the  beet  13.8  per  cent,  and  the  mean  coefficient  of  purity,  79.5. 
The  size  and  sugar  content  of  the  samples  received  from  the  whole  Stale 
were  satisfactory,  but  the  coefficient  of  purity  falls  a  little  below  the 
minimum  standard. 

The  samples  received  may  be  divided,  for  the  purposes  of  study,  into 
two  sets,  namely,  those  from  counties  lying  in  and  north  and  west  of 
the  favorable  thermal  belt,  and  second,  the  counties  lying  south  and 
east  of  that  belt.  Collected  by  counties,  the  samples  divided  accord- 
ing tothe  above  classification  show  the  following  data: 

Counties  of  Pennsylvania  above  and  below  isothermal  line  70°. 


County. 

Number 

ol 

samples. 

A\  erage 
weight 

Sugar  in 

the 

beets. 

Coeffi- 
cient of 

purity. 

AbOV6  70°. 

L3 

3 
•J 
7 
2 

] 

1 
•J 

OiiiiCi -s. 

18 
25 
18 

18 

10 

10 

Per  cent. 
13.8 
13  '.» 

13.  0 
15.8 
15   I 

is  0 
1  i).  6 
it;  8 

77.0 

7.".  8 

Ilk                                                              

77.4 

Erie              

Mercer 

Pol  let                                                  

8]   l 

1 

/;■  l 

etc  .  . 

31 

21 

14.8 

78.9 

22 

1 
•-• 
3 

12 

•J  4 
31 

18.2 

>i   I 
15.7 
13.9 

7!).  8 

79.0 

lorli                                                 

80  "J 

Av> 

28 

15 

12.7 

79.8 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  31  samples  coming  from  the  count  ies  lying  in 
and  to  the  north  and  west  ol*  the  favorable  thermal  bell  have  an  aver- 
age weight  Of  21  ounces,  a  mean  contenl  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  L4.8 
per  cent,  and  a  mean  coefficient  of  purity  of  78.9.  The  28  Samples  com- 
ing from  counties  lying  south  and  east,  of  the  favorable  thermal   belt 

nave  a  mean  weight  of  L5  ounces,  a  sugar  content  in  the  beet  of  L2.7 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  109 

per  cent,  and  a  mean  purity  of  79.8.  With  the  exception  of  the  coeffi- 
cient of  purity,  the  influence  of  the  more  favorable  thermal  conditions 
is  easily  distinguished. 

Of  the  counties  in  Pennsylvania  furnishing  the  most  data  may  be 
mentioned  Allegheny,  with  13  samples,  having  an  average  weight  of  18 
ounces,  a  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  13.8  per  cent,  and  a 
mean  purity  of  77.  Cumberland  County,  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
State,  sent  22  samples,  having  a  mean  weight  of  12  ounces,  a  mean 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  12  per  cent,  and  a  mean  purity  of  79.0. 
Erie  County  sent  7  samples,  having  a  mean  weight  of  28  ounces,  a  mean 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beet  of  15.8  per  cent,  and  a  mean  purity  of  82.5. 
The  samples  from  Erie  County  are  decidedly  the  most  favorable,  and 
this  is  to  be  expected,  since  Erie  County  has  conditions  of  soil  and 
climate  which  are  entirely  analogous  to  those  pervading  the  ^Tew  York 
area  from  Albany  to  Buffalo. 

Attention  has  been  called  before  to  the  mountainous  character  of  a 
large  part  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  even  where  favorable  thermal 
conditions  prevail.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  in  the  northern  and 
western  portions  of  the  State,  where  suitable  soil  can  be  found,  the 
culture  of  the  sugar  beet  may  be  introduced  under  the  most  favorable 
conditions,  and  with  every  prospect  of  success. 

EXPERIMENTS    CONDUCTED    BY   THE    AGRICULTURAL   EXPERIMENT    STATION. 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Pennsylvania  cooperated  with 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  in  the  investigation  of  the  beet-sugar 
work,  and  has  published  the  results  of  its  work  in  Bulletin  No.  40  of 
that  station.  For  details  of  the  analytical  work  and  of  the  observa- 
tions made  by  the  director  of  the  station  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
bulletin  mentioned.     In  discussing  the  analyses  Director  Armsby  says: 

Of  the  69  samples  reported  upon  in  the  above  table,  55  (or  80  per  cent)  showed  over 
12  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beet.  Thirty-four  samples  (or  49  per  cent)  showed  a 
coefficient  of  purity  of  over  80.  Thirty-two  out  of  the  total  number  (or  10  percent) 
showed  over  12  per  cent  of  sugar  and  also  a  purity  coefficient  of  over  80.  In  view 
of  the  fact  that  practically  all  of  the  beets  were  raised  by  farmers  who  had  had  no 
experience  in  the  culture  of  this  plant  for  sugar,  the  results  must  bo  regarded  as 
decidedly  favorable  so  far  as  the  quality  of  the  beets  is  concerned. 

In  40 cases  out  of  the  whole  number  we  have  data  regarding  the  average  weight  of 
the  beets.  Of  these  40  samples,  14  (or  35  per  cent)  weighed  between  0.80  and  1.35 
pounds,  18  (or  45  per  cent)  were  below  0.80  pound  in  weight,  and  8  (or  20  per  cent) 
were  above  1.35  pounds.  It  thus  appears  that,  as  a  rule,  the  si/.e  of  the  beets  was 
rather  small. 

Thirty-four  of  the  experimenters  reported  the  yield  of  beets.  In  most  oases  the 
yield  was  calculated  from  that  of  a  comparatively  small  ana,  and  in  many  cases  t  here 
is  evidence  that  the  results  maybe  considerably  in  error.  Taking  them  as  they 
stand,  however,  10  (or  29  per  cent)  reported  a  yield  of  over  15  tons  per  acre,  2  (or  6 
per  cent)  a  yield  of  between  10  and  12  tons  per  acre,  and  17  (or  60  per  cent)  a  yield 
below  10  tons  per  acre.  It  thus  appears  that  while, as  stated  above,  tin-  general 
quality  of  the  beets  was  good,  the  yield  was  rather  small. 


110  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

As  stated  above,  32  of  the  samples  showed  more1-  than  12  per  cent  of  sugar  with  B 
purity  coefficient  of  more  than  80.  Of  these  32  experiments,  7  (or  22  per  cent) 
reported  a  yield  of  over  10  tons  per  acre,  4  (or  13  per  cent)  a  yield  of  between  8  and 
10  tons  per  acre,  7  (or  22  per  cent)  a  yield  of  less  than  8  tons  per  acre,  while  14  (or 
44  per  cent)  did  not  report  the  yield.  These  figures  confirm  those  given  ahove  in 
showing  that  the  yield  was,  as  a  whole,  rather  small. 

Rhode  Island. 

Only  2  samples  were  received  from  Khode  Island,  and  no  deductions 
of  any  value  can  be  made  from  such  limited  data.  The  average  weight 
of  the  beets  composing  the  samples  was  21  ounces,  the  mean  percent- 
age of  sugar  therein  11.9,  and  the  mean  purity  74.2.  These  data  of 
course  are  far  from  encouraging,  but  there  are  reasons  for  supposing 
that  the  climate  of  Rhode  Island  is  favorable  to  the  production  of  a 
much  richer  beet.  The  available  area  for  cultivation  in  beets  in  Rhode 
Island  is  small,  and  it  may  not  be  worth  while  to  prosecute  the  experi- 
mental work.  Nevertheless,  it  is  suggested  that  it  might  be  profitable 
for  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Rhode  Island  to  study  the 
subject  to  a  greater  extent. 

South  Carolina. 

Thirteen  samples  were  received  at  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
from  South  Carolina.  The  mean  weight  of  the  samples  was  1  7  ounces, 
the  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  !).!>,  and  the  mean  purity  71). 9. 
These  data,  taken  into  consideration  with  the  latitude  and  thermal  con- 
ditions, indicate  that  there  is  no  prospect  of  South  Carolina  becoming 
a  sugar- producing  State. 

SOUTH    Dakota. 

Only  5  samples  of  beets  grown  in  South  Dakota  were  received  at 
the  Department  for  analysis.  The  mean  weight  of  the  beets  compos- 
ing these  samples  was  1  7  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
L5.1,  and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  83.2,  These  data  arc  favorable, 
but  too  meager  for  the  basis  of  any  definite  conclusions. 

EXPERIMENTS    r.  v    THE    AGRICULTURAL    EXPERIMENT   STATION    OF   SOUTB    DAKOTA. 

Extensive  investigations  in  cooperation  with  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  were  carried  on  by  the  South  Dakota  station  during  the 
past  season.  The  whole  number  of  samples  analyzed  at  the  South 
Dakota  station  was  337.  For  convenience  of  classification  they  are 
grouped  according  to  the  different  regions  in  t  lie  State,  and  by  counties 

in  I  lie  regions  as  is  shown  in  tlie  following  table: 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Ill 


Averages  by  counties  and  regions. 
[From  report  of  Jas.  H.  Shepard,  Chemist  of  Experiment  Station.] 


Region  and  county. 


BIG  STONE  LAKE   REGION. 


Roberts  County 
Grant  County.. 


Region  averages 


UPPER  SIOUX  RIVER  REGION. 


Codington  County  . 

Deuel  County 

Kingsbury  County . 

Moody  County 

Lake  County 

Brookings  County  . 
Minnehaha  County 


Region  averages 


LOWER  SIOUX  RIVER  REGION. 


Lincoln  County 

Turner  County 

Hutchinson  County 
Bonhorume  County. 

Clay  County 

Yankton  County 

Union  County 


Region  averages 

CENTRAL  JAMES  RIVER  REGION. 


Miner  County... 
.Sanborn  County. 
Davison  County 
McCook  County. 


Region  averages 


UPPER  JAMES   RIVER   REGION. 


Marshall  County... 

Brown  County  .' 

McPherson  County 
Edmunds  County .. 

Day  County 

Clark  County 

Spink  County 

Beadle  County 

Faulk  County 

H  yde  County 

Hand  County 


Xumber 
of 

samples. 


Region  averages 


UPPER    MISSOURI     RIVER     RE- 
GION. 


Campbell  County  . 
Walworth  County. 

Potter  County  

Sully  CO"iity 

Hughes  County  .... 


Region  averages . 


CENTRAL  MISSOURI   RIV 
GION. 


Jerauld  County  

Buffalo  County 

Brule  County 

Aurora  County 

Douglas  County 

Charles  Mix.  County. 


Region  averages . 


Tons  per    Per  cent 
acre.         stand. 


24.6 
16.4 


20.5 


4 

15.7 

4 

8.5 

14 

23.1 

5 

14.1 

4 

16.6 

26 

19.8 

2A 

20.2 

1*5.9 


16.4 
18.2 
19.5 
17.5 
30.5 
19.7 
19.3 


12.3 
16.6 
17.2 
12.5 
8.3 


13.4 


11.0 
44.0 
17.  2 
14.7 
16.8 
23.9 


Average    Sugar  in  Purity  co-     Ash  in 
weight.       beets.       efficient,    the  juice. 


Grams. 

.       387 
397 


Per  cent. 
15.3 
13.9 


392 


14.6 


473 
423 
359 
431 
424 
455 
423 


12.9 
14.5 
14.0 
14.2 
13.8 
13.4 
15.2 


14.0 


402 

15.0 

84.8 

437 

14.5 

85.1 

333 

19.5 

88.4 

449 

15.4 

87.2 

470 

14.7 

86.2 

498 

14.6 

86.0 

388 

15.2 

88.5 

78 


21.3 


77 


360 


15.2 


427 


525 

399 


290 
B79 

375 
394 

394 


17.7 
14.9 
15.9 
14.3 

14.8 


87.8 


85. 


86 


85.  8 


0.85 
.90 


.87 

.60 

1.00 

1.15 

1.09 


1.17 
1.12 
1.20 

.99 
1.15 
1.03 

.81 


20.2 

77 

425 

15.6 

86.6 

1.06 

21.5 

47 

329 

14.5 

84.6 

2.06 

14.2 

64 

373 

15.5 

87.4 

.92 

30.1 

81 

470 

14.8 

86.4 

.91 

22.5 

75 

423 

15.0 

89.0 

1.03 

22.1 

67 

399 

14.9 

86.9 

1.23 

90 
61 

322 
364 

13.7 
13.3 

85.6 
81.7 

.76 

15.1 

1.06 

26.3 

100 

314 

18.3 

85.3 

.73 

17.7 

75 

349 

15.1 

84.3 

1.18 

14.5 

69 

367 

13.9 

88.3 

.91 

22.8 

75 

351 

13.9 

87.  2 

1.08 

19.1 

75 

362 

15.5 

89.  1 

1.09 

33.6 

77 

475 

14.5 

86.8 

1.06 

12.8 

96 

304 

18.0 

89.5 

1.  28 

14.3 

50 

488 

14.6 

84.7 

1.00 

11.8 

90 

259 

16.8 

81.4 

1.27 

89.2 
84.8 
88  0 
86.7 

- 


15.5 


15. :; 
16.  1 
16.2 
16.8 
16   i 

14.  S 


86  - 


82.  I 

86.  7 

83.  2 


1.20 
1.11 
1.  L2 
1.  12 
1.09 


1.13 


1.28 

1.  17 
1.88 

1.  10 
.  99 

l ,  26 


16.9 


1   L9 


112 


BEET-^UGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Arcra'jcs  by  counties  and  regions — Continued. 


Region  and  county. 

Xuniber 
of 

samples. 

Tung  per 
acre. 

Per  cent 
stand. 

Average 
weight. 

Sugar  in 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

Ash  in 
the  juice. 

WHITE   RIVER  REGION. 

1 

1 
1 

4.V  0 
33.0 

Grams. 

421 
44f) 

Per  cent. 
14.9 

14.3 
16.  4 

83.1 

80.8 

.90 

100 

1.07 

263 

l  8! 

Region  averages 

15LACK   HILLS   REGION. 


Meade  County 

Pennington  County 

Custer  County 

Fall  River  County.. 


39.0 

100 

37G 

15.  2 

82.0 

1.06 

10    ! 

10.  1 

7.') 

401 

16.8 

82.1 

1.19 

0 

9.5 

7!) 

330 

16.4 

32  7 

1.48 

1 

10.0 

80 

67 

14.8 

78.0 

.47 

4 

15.4 

90 

325 

15.9 

83.7 

1.38 

Region  averages. 
BUTTE  REGION. 


12.8 


81 


281 


16.0 


1. 12" 


Harding  County 

Butte  County  . . . 


35 


343 
471 


20.7 
16.5 


1.30 
1.18 


ss.S 

r.7 

407 

18.6  | 

87.7  | 

1.24 

State  averages 

21.9 

383 

15.5  1 

85.6  | 

1.09 

From  an  inspection  of  the  above  data  it  is  seen  that  the  results  of  the 
experiments  conducted  by  the  station  are  quite  encouraging.    The  mean 
average  weight  of  the  beets  analyzed  was  a  little  below  the  normal,  383 
grams,  equivalent  to  13.5  ounces.     The  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the 
beets  was  15.5  per  cent,  and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  $5A\.     The  data 
lor  yield  per  acre  are  probably  unreliable,  as  many  reports  of  tonnage  are 
given  which  are  evidently  erroneous,  as,  for  instance,  in  Presho  County, 
where  a  yield  of  45  tons  per  acre  is  reported,  and  in  Pratt  County,  33 
tons  per  acre,  a  quantity  of  beets  which  is  not  to  be  expected  under 
the  most  favorable  circumstances  of  growth.    In  so  far  as  producing  a 
crop  of  beets  rich  in  sugar  is  concerned,  the  conditions  in  South  Dakota 
seem  to  be  extremely  favorable.     Attention,  however,  should  be  called 
to  former  Statements  that  the  fanners  of  this  State  will  have  tocontem 
with  the  great  difficulty  of  an  early  and  sudden  coining  of  winter.     Il 
therefore,  the  industry  should  scenic  a  hold,  this  will  be  the  most  impor- 
tant point  in  the  agricultural  part  of  the  work  to  be  considered,  naineh 
the  harvesting  ami  preserving  of  the  crop  lor  manufacturing  purposes. 
The  high  purity  coefficients  which  obtain  in  South  Dakota  are  especial! 
encouraging.    There  is  no  other  state  which  has  equaled  South  Dakoti 
in  the  purity  of  the  juices  of  the  beets.    There  is  abundant  reasoi 
found  in  the  data  published  above  to  encourage  the  agricultural  exper^ 

imeiit  station   of  the   State  to  Continue  its   work    of  in  vest  igat  ion,  am 

t«>  attract  the  favorable  at  tent  inn  of  intending  Investors. 

I  i  \  AS. 

The    northwestern    portion  of  Texas    reaches  an   altitude   where  th( 

thermal  conditions  become  more  favorable  to  beet  production.    1 1 is 

not  to  be  expected  that  the  southern  and  western  portions  of  the  Stat 
will  ever  be  seriously  considered  for  this  purpose. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


113 


Eleven  samples  were  received  from  Texas  at  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  laboratory,  having  an  average  weight  of  22  ounces,  a  mean 
content  of  sugar  in  the  beets  of  12.0  per  cent,  and  a  mean  purity  of  7G.5. 
All  the  counties  represented  were  in  the  northern  and  western  portions 
of  the  State  except  McLennan,  which  is  in  the  center.  There  is  reason 
to  believe  that  on  the  high  plateaus  in  the  northwestern  portion  of  the 
State,  where  irrigation  is  possible,  the  culture  of  the  sugar  beet  might 
be  introduced  with  considerable  prospects  of  success. 

A  few  analyses  were  made  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of 
Texas,  and  these  are  given  below: 


OF     THE     WORK     DONE     BY    THE   AGRICULTURAL     EXPERIMENT     STATION 

TEXAS. 


OF 


All  of  the  seeds  that  we  received  for  distribution  in  this  State  during  the  past 
season  came  to  hand  too  late  for  proper  planting  in  a  State  so  far  south  as  Texas. 
For  this  reason  the  dry  season  prevented  a  fair  growth  of  the  beets  at  an  important 
period  in  their  development,  and  the  crops  waited  for  the  fall  rains  to  develop  size. 
These  fall  rains  were  accompanied  by  a  small  per  cent  of  sunshine,  resulting  in  a  low 
sugar  content.  These  conclusions  are  based  upon  the  fact  that  where  beets  were 
planted  late  and  irrigated,  the  sugar  content  was  higher  than  when  samples  were 
grown  by  late  fall  rains  and  then  sent  us  for  analysis.  Of  course  the  extreme  west- 
ern portion  of  the  State  produced  beets  of  high  sugar  content. 

Results  of  experiments  in  Texas. 


Name  and  address  of  persons 
from  whom  beets  were  re- 
ceived. 


E.  B.  Edgell,  Clarendon,  Don- 
ley County,  Tex. 

D.   W.   Buckston,    Silverton, 
Briscoe  County,  Tex. 

Do 

Do 

Do 

R.    L.   Goble,    Garrett,    Ellis 

County.  Tex. 
L.    11.    Carpenter,   Silverton, 
Briscoe  County,  Tex. 

Do 

Do 

Do 

F.  E.   Davis,  Dublin,   Erath 
County,  Tex. 

C.    W.    Griffin,    Toyahvale, 
Reeves  County,  Tex. 

Do 


Section  of  State. 


Panhandle  tl 
do 


do 

do 

do 

Black  Land  Belt  c( 

Panhandle  tl 


do 

do 

do 

Central  North  rj 


Pecos  Region  □ 
....do 


Labora- 

tory 
number. 

Brix. 

1 

16.8 

1 

1").  5 

2 
3 
4 
(*) 

17.0 
14.0 
13.2 
13.  5 

1 

15.2 

2 

3 

4 

t  1 

13.5 
11.0 
11.3 
12.  55 

1 

tl 

16.5 
15.0 

2 

21.1 

Sucrose.  J'™2^~   Weight. 


efficient 


11.88 

9.69 

11.02 
6.89 
7.98 

7.79 

6.27 

4.89 
5.04 
5.46 

7.07 

9.69 
9.5 

15.  08 


70.68 
02.  5 

64.82 

49.19 
60.91 
57.7 

41.8 

36.9 
45.7 
48.34 

50.  U4 

58.  7 

o::.  3 


Lbs.  ozs. 

1  10 

2  4 


H 


4  beets,  1  sample. 


t  Red. 


Tennessee. 

Seventeen  samples  of  beets  were  received  at  the  laboratory  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  from  Tennessee,  of  which  eighl  were  from 
the  agricultural  experiment  station  at  Knowiile.  The  mean  weight  of 
the  beets  received  was  11  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  10. s, 
and  the  mean  purity  71.9.  The  mountainous  regions  of  Tennessee  are 
probably  favorably  situated  in  regard  to  thermal  conditions  lor  the 
H.  Doc.  390 8 


114  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

growing-  of  beets,  but  the  contour  of  the  country  will  prevent  any  exten- 
sive planting  of  this  crop.  Middle  and  western  Tennessee  are  evi- 
dently too  warm  for  successful  beet  culture. 

Virginia. 

Thirty-four  samples  grown  in  the  State  of  Virginia  were  received  at 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  examination.  The  mean  weight  of 
the  beets  composing  these  samples  was  HI  ounces,  the  mean  content  of 
sugar  in  the  beets  1 1.6  per  cent,  and  the  mean  purity  76.2. 

Virginia  lies  almost  entirely  south  of  the  region  where  thermal  con- 
ditions are  most  favorable  to  beet  culture.  It  is  only  in  the  seacoast 
counties,  where  the  temperature  is  moderated  by  the  sea  breezes,  and 
in  the  mountainous  counties,  where  the  altitude  is  great  enough  to 
lower  the  temperature,  that  good  results  can  be  expected.  A  great 
deal  of  interest  lias  been  manifested  in  the  State  in  regard  to  the  build- 
ing of  factories,  but  it  is  evident  that  intending  investors  as  well  as 
farmers  should  stop  to  consider  the  matter  very  seriously  before 
inventing  their  money  and  their  labor  in  this  enterprise. 

A  few  analyses  received  from  Virginia  show  favorable  results,  as  for 
instance,  the  sample  from  Carroll  County,  weighing  15  ounces,  and 
containing  15.4  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beet.  There  is  little  in  the 
data,  however,  to  encourage  the  belief  that  Virginia  is  a  favorable 
region  for  beet  growing. 

Investigations  were  also  made  by  the  agricultural  experiment  sta- 
tion of  Virginia,  but  only  to  a  very  limited  extent.  The  data  obtained 
on  analysis,  together  with  the  observations  of  the  official  in  charge  of 
the  investigations,  are  found  in  the  following  report: 

INVESTIGATIONS    BY   THE   AGRICULTURAL   EXPERIMENT   STATION    or    VIRGINIA. 

Before  stating  the  results  of  the  analyses  made  at  this  station  I  think  it  best  to 
make  some  comments  upon  the  work  attempted  this  season.  In  the  first  place,  it  was 
quite  late  before  we  concluded  to  undertake  the  distribution  of  see. is  and  then  by 
the  time  they  reached  as  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture  the  season  was  so  fat 
advanced  that  a  considerable  number  of  persons  to  whom  the  seeds  were  distributed 

tailed  to  plant   them.      This,  of  course,  distnrhed   the  experiment  to  a   Considerable 

extent.  Another  disturbing  (actor  was  t lie  extreme  drought  \\ huh  pre\ ailed  during 
the  latter  part  of  die  season  over  this  stale  in  general,  which  result!  d  in  manj  o  ksea 
in  practically  destroying  the  crop.  A.s  r  consequence,  our  results  are  nol  what  we 
could  wish.  After  much  correspondence  with  those  to  whom  seed  was  distributed! 
wc  concluded  to  analyze  only  samples  representing  fairly  well  the  tidewater  and 
limestone  Bectious  of  the  state.    The  results  of  t Uese  analyses  follow: 

Sample  No.  L.  from  W.J.  Phillips,  Aeoomac  County,  \  a.  Weight  of  whole  beet, 
372  grams.     Percent  of  sugar,  L6.ll. 

Sample    No.  L'.    I'r Henry   Jones,    Suffolk,    Nanseinond   County,  Va.      Weight    of 

whole  beet,  1,325  grams.     Percent  of  sugar,  1.17. 
Sample  No.  3.  From  L.  T.  Barnes,  Boulevard,  New  Kent  County,  \  a.     Weight  of 

whole  I  ret.  581  grains.     P<  r  cent  of  sugar,  1 1.64. 

■  i  »le  No.   i.  From  T.  A.  idler,  Atkms,  Smyth  County;  \  a.     Weight   of  whole, 
beet,  160  grams.     Per  cent  of  sugar,  9.61. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  115 

Sample  No.  5.  From  experiment  station.  Weight  of  ,svhole  beet,  584  grams.  Per 
cent  of  sugar,  13.63. 

The  first  three  samples  represent  the  eastern  section  of  the  State  and  the  last  two 
the  limestone  section.  We  endeavored  to  secure  sixteen  samples  covering  more 
perfectly  the  geologic  areas  of  the  State,  but  from  the  causes  above  mentioned  we 
failed  to  procure  proper  samples. 

Dr.  McBryde  desires  me  to  say  that  if  the  Department  wishes  us  to  aid  in  the  con- 
duct of  this  work  the  coming  year  we  will  be  pleased  to  do  so,  and  that  the  work 
will  be  taken  in  hand  in  proper  season  and  the  growing  experiments  arranged  on  a 
much  better  plan,  so  as  to  secure  reliable  samples  from  the  different  sections  of  the 
State. 

Experiments  in  the  growth  of  beets  in  Virginia  during  1897  were 
also  made  by  the  State  board  of  agriculture,  and  are  described  on  page 
206  of  the  annual  report  of  the  board  for  the  year  1897.  One  hundred 
and  eight  samples  were  analyzed  during  September  and  October.  It 
is  stated  in  this  report  that  these  samples  varied  in  saccharine  strength 
from  8.5  to  17.1  per  cent;  thirty-five  of  them  were  below  12  per  cent, 
and  seventy-three  showed  a  saccharine  value  of  from  12  to  17.1  per 
cent,  with  a  coefficient  of  purity  of  from  79  to  88.5,  or  a  saccharine 
average  of  14.7  per  cent,  and  an  average  purity  coefficient  of  S3,  which 
is  equivalent  to  250  pounds  of  raw  sugar  per  ton  of  beets. 

The  data  obtained  by  the  State  board  of  agriculture  are  more  favor- 
able than  those  secured  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  or  by  the 
experiment  station  at  Blacksburg.  It  is  hardly  probable,  however, 
that  the  map  which  accompanies  the  report  of  the  State  board  of  agri- 
culture will  be  regarded  a?  a  final  judgment  in  regard  to  the  localities 
in  Virginia  suitable  to  the  growth  of  beets  of  the  different  qualities 
noted.  A  much  larger  series  of  experiments,  extending  over  a  greater 
number  of  years,  will  be  necessary  to  definitely  determine  that  point. 

Washington. 

Thirty-four  samples  of  beets  grown  in  the  State  of  Washington  were 
received  at  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  analysis.  The  mean 
weight  of  the  beets  received  was  27  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of 
sugar  13.7,  and  the  mean  purity  coefficient  SO. 7. 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  the  State  of  Washington  for 
many  years  has  conducted  careful  studies  in  regard  to  the  possibilities 
of  producing  sugar  in  that  State.  During  the  past  year  60  samples  of 
beets  grown  in  Washington  were  analyzed  at  t  lie  laboratory  of  the 
agricultural  experiment  station.  The  mean  weight  of  the  beets 
analyzed  was  23  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beets  L3.6, 
and  the  mean  coefficient  of  purity  75.7.  Of  the  whole  number  68  per 
cent  contained  over  12  per  cent  of  sugar,  and  78  per  cent  weighed  more 
than  1()  ounces.  The  reports  of  the  director  and  chemist  of  the  station 
are  given  below. 


116 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Summary  of  analyses  of  beets  from  Washington. 
piled  from  report  of  experiment  station.] 


Nam- 

pics. 

Net 
weight 
beets. 

Sugar 
in 

beets. 

Coeffi- 
cient 

of 
purity. 

County. 

Num-       x  t       Sn,,.1r     Coetti- 
£S;       >•-"-      ''«'»•     pqritT. 

Clarke 

7 
20 

2 

8 
4 
3 

Ounces. 
29 

25 
17 
22 
33 
'  27 
25 

Peret 

14.:; 
12.0 
15.8 
12.3 

12.  5 

13.  5 
11.8 

77.7 
73.7 
79.2 
70.  y 
72.  9 
75.6 
80.4 

King 

Ounces. 
10             15 

1              :.4 
46 
26 

Perct. 

12.1           71.4 

Pierce 

Lincoln 

Kitsap 

Skagit 

San  Juan 

Whatcom 

Clallam 

Whitman  

Klickitat 

Averages,  etc. 

14.3  77.4 
14.2           76.3 

12.4  74.5 

60             23         13.6           75.7 

RESULTS   OF   EXPERIMENTS   IN    WASHINGTON'. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows : 

The  appointment  was  made  so  late  in  the  summer  that  it  served  only  the  purpose 
of  providing  for  the  free  transportation  of  beets  to  this  point  for  analysis,  conse- 
quently the  report  must  necessarily  deal  with  facts  of  an  earlier  date  ehietly,  if  it  is 
to  be  of  any  value  as  an  indication  of  the  adaptability  of  the  soil  and  climate  of  the 
State  of  Washington  to  the  culture  of  sugar  beets.  Permit  me  to  say  that  we 
regarded  our  experimentation  as  practically  complete  before  the  beginning  of  this 
year.  In  consequence  of  this  fact  it  had  been  announced  early  in  the  season  thai  no 
distribution  of  seed  would  be  made.  At  a  later  period  some  seed  was  obtained  from 
the  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  planting  season  in  Washington  begins  vers 
early  considering  the  latitude,  and  the  seed  was  received  too  late  for  general  use. 
Seed  was,  however,  supplied  to  those  requesting  it,  and  in  the  main  these  requests 
were  from  localities  not  so  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  sugar  beets,  so  that  the 
results  of  this  year's  planting  can  in  no  way  be  taken  as  representative. 

The  Washington  State  Experiment  Station  began  the  investigation  of  this  prob- 
lem through  its  chemical  department  in  the  spring  of  1894,  and  conducted  it  with 
the  greatest  thoroughness  through  that  and  the  two  succeeding  seasons,  making  more 
than  3,000  analyses.  Beets  were  raised  in  both  small  and  large  plats.  The  results 
were  80  uniform  as  to  demonstrate;  the  peculiar  adaptability  of  this  region  to  the 
culture  of  sugar  beets.  These  results  are  given  in  Bulletins  15  and  I'd  of  the  State 
experiment  station.  I  submit  herewith  the  report  of  Professor  Fulmer,  of  the 
department  of  chemistry,  relative  to  t  he  results  of  this  \  car.  1  might  mention  t  lie 
fact  that  Professor  Fulmer  was  for  some  time  chemist  of  a  beet-sugar  factory  in 
Nebraska,  and  is  particularly  well  fitted  for  dealing  with  this  subject.  The  results 
thus  far  obtained  in  the  state;  show  a  percentage  of  sugar  oi'  about  15,  and  a  purity 
of  nearly  84. 


Pullman,  Wash.,  January  a,  1898* 
Dear  Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  request  1  hand  you  herewith  a  tabulated 
statemenl  of  the  analyses  made  in  the  station  laboratory  of  beets  grown  from  seed 
furnished  by  the  United  states  Department  of  Agriculture.  The  data  presented  are 
far  from  being  complete.  The  very  important  item  of  u  variety  of  seed  '*  is  ent  irely 
omit  ted,  because  in  almost  all  cases  the  variety  indicated  by  the  grower  of  the  beetl 

was  not,  at  all  in   harmony  wi  t  h   the  characteristics  exhibited   by  the  Samples.      Poi 

example,  beets  with  pink  skins  were  often  marked  "  Klein wanzlebener,"  which  is 

a  pine  white  variety.      It  is  quite  clear  to  my  mind  that   the  lack  of  harmony  bet  ween 

the  character  of  the  beets  and  the  names  they  bore  was  due  to  the  seed  sent  out  by 
the  Government  being  a  mixed  seed. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  117 

Parties  sending  in  beets  for  analysis  failed  in  most  cases  to  send  any  data  concern- 
ing the  time  of  planting,  thinning,  and  harvesting;  character  of  soil;  amount  of 
cultivation,  etc.  On  account  of  this  great  lack  of  reliable  data,  the  meager  results 
obtained  are  of  little  value. 

I  wish  to  direct  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  this  kind  of  experimental  work 
with  sugar  beets  in  our  State  is  at  this  time  a  useless  expenditure  of  time  and  energy. 
During  the  past  four  years  this  station  has  made  over  3,000  analyses  of  sugar  beets 
grown  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  and  under  all  conditions  of  temperature  and  rainfall. 
The  details  of  these  analyses,  and  of  the  field  experiments,  have  been  published  in 
full  in  Bulletins  15  and  20.  The  raising  of  high-grade  beets  in  this  Slate  his  been 
fully  demonstrated  to  be  a  practical  success,  and  we  believe  any  further  experimen- 
tation with  small  plats  is  wholly  unnecessary. 

The  uniformly  excellent  results  that  we  have  obtained  in  the  past  are  in  striking 
contrast  to  the  very  poor  outcome  of  this  year's  test.  We  believe  the  low  sugar 
content  and  purity  exhibited  by  the  beets  this  year  is  due  to  several  causes: 

(1)  The  seed  from  Washington  was  received  altogether  too  late  in  the  spring  for 
distribution  in  time  for  early  planting.  In  most  sections  of  the  State  the  seed 
should  be  planted  not  later  than  the  middle  of  April. 

(2)  Nearly  all  of  the  samples  were  grown  in  sections  of  the  State  that  have  not 
heretofore  shown  any  special  adaptability  to  sugar-beet  culture. 

(3)  We  believe  the  seed  was  of  poor  quality.  In  support  of  this  assertion  I  wish 
to  call  your  attention  to  the  samples  that  were  raised  at  Crescent,  in  Lincoln  County. 
Heretofore  this  section  has  always  produced  high-grade  beets.  The  samples  sent  in 
by  William  Adam,  P.  Carstens,  and  the  first  two  of  W.  B.  Warren  were  grown  from 
Government  seed,  and  gave  a  very  low  sugar  content  and  purity.  The  samples  of 
Wollweber,  and  the  last  three  of  Warren,  were  grown  from  seed  raised  at  Crescent 
last  year,  and  gave  most  excellent  results.  These  facts  and  the  very  general  poor 
quality  of  samples  leads  me  to  regard  the  seed  furnished  as  an  inferior  quality. 

The  inclosed  results  do  not  do  justice  to  our  State,  and  I  wish  to  protest  against 
their  publication  as  an  index  of  the  character  of  beets  that  can  be  raised  here. 
Yours,  very  respectfully, 

Eltox  Fulmer, 
Chemist  Experiment  Station. 
Director  E.  A.  Bryan, 

Pullman,  Wash. 

In  regard  to  the  report  of  the  chemist,  attention  should  he  called  to 
the  fact  that  he  is  evidently  mistaken  in  regard  to  the  quality  of  the 
seed  sent  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  This  seed  was,  of  course, 
Dot  of  the  direct  production  from  high-grade  mother  beets,  hut  was 
the  ordinary  commercial  seed  which  was  imported  by  the  Oxnard  Com- 
pany for  distribution  among  their  beet  growers.  It  was  the  same  seed 
which  was  sent  to  Michigan  and  to  New  York,  which  produced  in 
those  States  the  excellent  results  which  have  been  recorded  in  previous 
portions  of  this  report.  In  over  2,200  analyses  of  beets  which  were 
made  in  this  laboratory  dining  the  past  season,  only  about  25  samples 
were  received  which  had  a  piuk  skin,  and  in  most  cases  these  were 
marked  with  different  names.  It  i*  possible,  however,  that  a  few  seeds 
of  this  kind  may  have  been  mixed  in  with  the  large  lot  of  commercial 
seeds  which  were  imported  into  this  country.  The  Department  of 
Agriculture  neither  purchased  nor  packed  the  seeds  which  were  dis- 


118  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

tributed,  bo  that  the  possible  admixture  of  other  varieties  can  not  be 
positively  denied. 

With  the  exception  of  the  excessive  rainfall  on  some  of  the  coast 
areas,  it  has  been  demonstrated  that  the  State  of  Washington  is  well 
Baited  to  the  growth  of  beets  of  a  high  grade.  An  extended  report 
on  the  possibilities  of  Oregon  and  Washington  for  beet  production  was 
made  in  Bulletin  No.  5  of  this  Division,  the  investigations,  which  were 
published  in  188"),  having  been  made  in  the  autumn  of  1884.  A  descrip- 
tion of  the  topographical  features  and  climate  of  western  Washington 
is  given  on  pages  103-104  of  that  bulletin.  The  conclusions  which  I 
derived  from  a  study  of  the  conditions  at  the  time  are  given  on  page 
105  in  the  following  words: 

'•  In  view  of  the  preceding  description  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  in  Washington 
Territory  and  Oregon,  soil  and  climate  are  very  favorable  to  the  growth  of  a  sugar 
heel  of  high  saccharine  strength. 

"The  mildness  of  the  winter  is,  though  to  a  less  degree  than  in  California,  favorable 
to  the  season  of  manufacture.  With  a  wise  and  careful  encouragement  of  the 
industry  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  the  prospects  for  the  development  of  an 
indigenous  sugar  industry  in  the  extreme  northwestern  part  of  our  country  are 
decidedly  bright.  It  is  a  field  worthy  the  attention  both  of  experimenters  and 
capitalists." 

Investigations  which  have  been  made  subsequent  to  this  period  have 
abundantly  verified  the  predictions  given  above.  The  chemist  of  the 
station,  in  the  results  of  his  work  for  1S97,  says  that  the  data  are  not  so 
favorable  as  were  obtained  in  preceding  investigations,  but,  as  he  says, 
the  beets  analyzed  came  from  parts  of  the  State  less  favorable  to  beet 
culture  than  did  those  samples  which  had  previously  been  examined. 
The  data  obtained  by  analyses  of  beets  received  at  the  Department 
from  Oregon  are  decidedly  favorable.  The  average  size  of  the  beets, 
27  ounces,  shows  the  possibilities  of  a  large  yield,  while  both  the  con- 
tent of  sugar  and  the  purity  coefficient  are  favorable  to  the  production 
of  large  quantities  of  sugar  from  the  beets  produced.  The  thermal 
conditions  which  prevail  in  Washington  are  noticed  in  another  place. 
The  coast  region  is  cooler  than  the  mean  temperature  of  69  for  the 
siinuner  months,  but,  as  has  been  remarked  before  in  more  than  one 
place,  t  his  is  not  unfavorable  to  the  product  ion  of  high-grade  beets;  on 
the  contrary,  rather  promotive  of  it.  The  mild  autumns,  especially  in 
the  western  part  of  the  state,  afford  ample  opportunity  for  the  complete 

harvest  and  care  of  the  beets.  In  considering  the  data  which  have 
been  obtained  through  a  long  series  of  years,  therefore,  it  is  safe  to 
Say  that  there  are  extensive  areas  in  the  State  of  Washington  which 
invite  the  careful  consideration  of  intending  Investors  in  the  beet- 
sngar  industry. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  119 

Wisconsin. 

Forty-two  samples  of  beets  were  received  at  the  laboratory  of  the 
Department  from  Wisconsin,  of  which  number  3L  were  grown  in  Dane 
County,  representing  the  beets  grown  by  the  agricultural  experiment 
station.  It  is  evident,  that  the  mean  results  of  the  samples  from  Wis- 
consin are  influenced  in  a  marked  degree  by  those  obtained  from  the 
agricultural  experiment  statiou.  These  mean  results  therefore  repre- 
sent a  higher  quality  of  beets  than  would  have  been  grown  in  the 
promiscuous  manner  already  referred  to.  The  mean  weight  of  the 
beets  grown  in  Wisconsin  was  15  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar 
therein  was  15.8  per  cent,  and  the  mean  purity  83.3.  The  small  mean 
size  of  the  beets  is  due  chiefly  to  the  31  samples  received  from  the 
agricultural  experiment  station,  of  which  the  average  weight  was  only 
11  ounces.  With  the  exception  of  1  sample  from  Outagamie  County, 
which  weighed  only  8  ounces,  the  other  samples  were  of  good  size. 
Especially  is  this  true  of  the  3  samples  received  from  Racine  County, 
the  mean  weight  of  which  was  34  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar 
15.4  per  cent,  and  the  mean  purity  82.0. 

The  data  obtained  by  our  analyses  are  encouraging,  but,  on  account 
of  the  small  number  of  samples,  not  convincing.  Therefore  the  fol- 
lowing report  of  the  results  of  the  analyses  made  at  the  agricultural 
expeiiment  station  will  show  more  conclusively  the  influence  of  the 
character  of  the  soil  and  climate  of  Wisconsin  on  the  quality  of  sugar 
beets. 

EXPERIMENTS     CONDUCTED     BY     THE     AGRICULTURAL     EXPERIMENT     STATION     OF 

WISCONSIN. 

Three  classes  of  experiments  were  conducted  by  the  agricultural 
experiment  station  of  Wisconsin  during  the  year  1897.  xVn  elaborate 
report  of  these  experiments  has  already  been  printed  as  Bulletin  No. 
64  of  that  station.  The  following  interesting  summaries  represent  the 
principal  data  obtained: 

The  three  methods  were  the  following: 

First  method. — A  general  distribution  of  seed  was  made  promiscu- 
ously to  farmers  in  the  State  who  desired  to  experiment.  In  all,  13,766 
packages  were  distributed.  Each  package  contained  directions  for 
planting  and  cultivating  the  beet.  One  thousand  six  hundred  and 
sixty-three  samples  of  beets  grown  under  these  auspices  were  received 
at  the  station  for  analysis.  The  quality  of  the  bee~ts,  together  with  the 
analyses  of  beets  grown  in  1890,  1891,  1892,  and  1897,  with  a  summary 
for  the  four  years,  is  shown  in  the  table  on  page  1^0. 


120 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IX    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Results  of  analysis  of  sugar  beets  grown  on  Wisconsin  farms  during  1890-1892 and  1897. — 

Averages  by  counties. 


County. 


Adams  

Ashland 

Barron 

Bayfield 

Brown 

Buffalo 

Burnett 

Calumet 

Chippewa  .. . 

Clark 

Columbia  — 
Crawford  . ... 

Dane 

1><m1_m> 

Door 

Donglaa 

Dunn 

K;iti  Claire. .. 
Fond  (lu  Lao. 

Forest 

Grant 

<  rreen  

<  rreen  Lake. . 

Iowa   

Iron 

.Jackson 

Jotierson 

Juneau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee . . . 

La  <  Irosse 

Lafayette 

Langlade 

Lincoln  

Manitowoc  . . 
Marathon  ... 
Mai  incite  . . . 
Marquette . . . 
M  ilwaukee  . . 
Monroe 

(lento 

Oneida 

Outagamie.  - . 

Ozaukee 

Pepin 

Pierce  


Polk 

Portage 

Price 

Racine 

Richland  .. 

Rock  

St.  Croix... 

Sauk  

Sau  yet 
Shaw  alio    .  . 
Slid,. 

Taj  loi 


1890-1892. 


=  - 


P.ct. 
11.99 


12.74 


r.a. 

76.1 


77.0 


10.75 
13.48 


74.9 
77.4 


1897. 


Summary  tor  four  years. 


-  —    -      4.   e 


16.67 
12.72 
14.  15 

12.  28 
10.09 
12.  98 
11.77 
14.59 


82.6 
77.5 
81.4 

74.7 
72.0 
76.7 

7.i.  '_' 
80.0 


12.49 

11.70 
12.13 
9.64 

10.24 
12.84 
11.31 
11.32 


79.8 
76.0 
74.1 
72.  5 
69.3 
77.5 
78.1 
74.9 


7.79 
13.96 
13.(14 
12.71 
13.58 
12.58 
12.27 
12.91 
17.43 
12.61 
12.67 

8.77 


65.6 
79.0 
76.0 
78.1 

77.1 
76.1 
77.li 
81.4 
85.9 
80.4 
76.5 
64.5 


15.51 
12.  32 
13  76 


11.48 
13.  14 
14.71 


11.09 
12.02 


14.27 

11.31 
12.96 

12.  55 

9.67 

10.60 

11.71 
13.61 


83.  i 

76.2 
80.7 


75.4 
75.  1 


70.  a 
76.  7 

71.7 
7  1    5 

76.  3 
74.  3 
78.  9 


Tons. 

9.3 


17.7 


17.9 
15.9 


14.7 
23.  6 
10.9 
15.5 
15.3 
14.4 
20.7 
21.4 


11.5 
14.0 
11.0 
6.0 
13.2 
15.2 


•J  7.  8 


17.5 
25.3 
21.8 
35.1 
15.2 
26.  4 
24.1 

l  ;.  l 

16.4 
16.1 
28.5 


12.  3 

13.5 


75.  2     23.  6 

70.0  20.7 

79.1  11.9 


12.5 


10.5 
12.  0 
11.4 
19.9 
23.8 
26.  1 
16.9 
L6  - 

8.8 


5 
15 

1 
101 

8 

2 
48 
34 
61 
30 

2 
44 
47 
15 

8 
26 
63 
38 

1 
26 

4 
13 

1 

1 
64 
13 

9 
13 
74 


tt.z. 

P.  ct. 
13.  67 
11.42 
12.94 
10.96 
13.  12 
12.96 
12.92 
12.61 
12.18 
11.97 
12.68 

12.  00 

13.  51 
12.  86 
15.11 
13.92 
12.07 
10.70 
12.  04 
11.31 
12.21 
10.16 

12.  06 
10.40 

9.96 
11.57 

13.  55 

12.  34 
14.31 
13.38 
12.75 
10.47 
11.51 
13.09 

13.  42 
11.99 
13.23 
13.19 
14.17 
12.36 
15.48 
13.78 
13.  06 
14.00 
11  82 
12.58 
ll.oo 
13.  12 
10.43 
13.7.'. 
10.61 
13.97 
12.  II 


P.ct. 
75.  5 
74.2 

74.3 

73.  5 
75.5 
75.3 
7."..  0 
72.4 

74.  2 

74.  9 
71.8 
72.3 
71.3 
71.0 
77  I 
78.8 
73.7 
73.8 
71.2 
70.  2 
71.2 

65.  5 
72.9 
70.2 
64.7 
77.4 
72.8 
72.  9 
74.2 

75.  4 
80.  6 

66.  3 
70.8 
75.9 
74.9 

72.  3 
76.6 
77.7 
77.7 

73.  1 
79  8 

75.  4 
77.  7 
73.7 
7.;.  2 
72.  6 
73  2 

67.  2 
7.V  8 
88.  7 


/'.  n* 
10.2 

3.0 
12.0 
16.5 
14.0 
11.2 
18.0 
11.8 
11.7 
11.7 
13.4 

9.7 
12.7 
12.5 
10.0 
16.7 
12.6 
11.0 
16.6 
15.0 
13.0 
14.0 
11.5 
12.0 
15.5 
10.6 
15.0 

6.2 
L5.0 
14.2 
12.5 

9.4 
11.0 

4.5 


8  i 

-  - 


-  r. 


15.0 
11.  1 
23.  5 
15.0 
17.3 
8.8 

11.0 

ll  :; 
15.8 
15  i 
13. 8 
13.0 


12.96 

LO  >7 


75.0 
78.  0 
70.  fl 


15  1 

I  I  8 


'5 

105 
17 

2 
56 
47 
68 
49 

6 

- 
60 
18 

8 
39 
73 

5 

10 
14 
8 
1 
65 
36 
15 
14 
104 
70 
10 
16 
10 

53 

29 
15 
20 

40 

4 

77 
..-> 

9 

12 

6 
41 

7 

21 
24 

26 

::l 

1 

25 


$ 

z  —    ^ 


P.ct. 
13.11 

11  42 
12.  00 
10.96 
13.03 
13.24 
12.02 
13.19 

12  23 
12.  19 

12  53 
10.  76 
13.37 
12.62 
15.02 
13.92 
12.86 

10.  84 
12.07 
hi.  47 
11.74 
11.77 
12.01 
11.20 

9.  96 
11.51 

12.63 

14.19 
13.44 
12.72 
11.19 
11.59 
14.39 
13.22 
12.  10 
12.92 
l  ;.  10 
14.57 
12.34 
14.56 

12.77 
13.81 

12.66 

11.7(1 
12.01 
10.43 

13  87. 

18  64 

11.  OS 
10.69 
13.19 


75.9 
74.2 

74.7 
73.5 
7:>.  5 
76.4 
7.V  0 
73.8 
77..  2 

75.  6 
72.  0 
72.  1 
72.6 
73.0 
77.7 
78.8 
75.6 
74.1 
71.7 
71.3 
70.5 
72.  7 
73.2 
74.3 
64.7 
77.  2 
76.8 

71.  1 
74.5 
7."..  8 

79.  0 
70.6 

72.  1 

76.  8 
73.0 

r.~>.  7 

77.7 
70.  4 
74.3 

80.  2 
7:..  5 

75.  3 

7C.  6 
7:;.  2 
73.0 
73.6 
67.  2 

76.  8 
72.8 
74.5 

72.  2 

73.8 


Tons. 
9.8 
3.0 
14.1 
16.5 
14.3 
13.0 
18.0 
12.1 
15.1 
11.6 
14.2 
13.1 
13.  2 
13.8 
13.0 
16.7 
12.2 
11.5 
15.1 
10.5 
13.0 
15.0 
11.5 

15.  5 
10.6 
16.5 
13.2 
15.  7 
16.8 
13.0 
16.0 
12.0 
10.9 
14.8 
12.9 
10.9 
8.0 

IS  4 
11.8 
15.1 

"iG.h 

13.0 
17.7 
15.0 
17  B 
0.  l 
11.0 
13.9 

14.4 
14.0 
15.8 

14  8 
21).  1 

lo    l 

1 5  •"■ 
11.0 


ll  will  be  noticed  thai  the  table  includes  (lie  analyses  of  527  samples 

collected  daring  the  years  L890-91-02,  together  with  the  1,663  collected 
in  1 897, or  a  totalof  2,190  samples.     In  the  discussion  of  the  analytical 

data    Mr.  P.  W.  WON,  who  has  compiled    the   report,  makes  the  follow- 
ing interest ing  obsen at i«>n- .- 

Sixty-eighl  of  Ihe  counties  of  the  State  are  represented  in  the  sugar-beet  analyse! 
made  during  tin-  pasl   sea&on.    Brown  county  Leads  with    L01   samples  of  beets, 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  121 

Kewaunee  •being  second  with  74  samples.  Ten  counties  furnished  50  or  more  sam- 
ples each.  The  highest  average  for  the  sugar  in  the  juice,  11  samples  analyzed,  was 
obtained  for  Oconto  County,  namely,  15.48  per  cent  with  a  purity  coefficient  of 
79.6,  followed  by  Door  County,  which  gave  15.11  per  cent  sugar  in  the  juice,  purity 
77.4,  as  the  average  of  15  samples.  The  average  sugar  content  of  the  juice  of  the 
beets  was  above  12  per  cent  in  case  of  49  counties,  above  13  per  cent  in  case  of  26 
counties,  and  above  14  per  cent  in  case  of  8  counties. 

Adaptability  of  different  parts  of  the  State  to  sugar-beet  culture. — A  close  study  of  the 
results  given  in  the  preceding  tables  will  be  of  interest,  and  is  necessary  in  order  to 
properly  understand  the  situation  of  the  question  of  sugar-beet  culture  in  our  State. 
The  table  indicates  what  an  investigation  continued  through  four  growing  seasons 
has  revealed  as  to  the  adaptability  of  the  soil  in  different  parts  of  the  State  to  the 
culture  of  this  crop.  In  case  of  a  few  counties,  especially  the  extreme  northern 
ones,  the  number  of  analyses  made  is  not  sufficiently  large  to  warrant  our  drawing 
definite  conclusions  as  to  the  quality  of  beets  there  grown,  but  in  the  large  majority 
of  counties  the  number  of  analyses  is  ample  to  be  considered  a  true  representation 
of  what  beets  grown  in  the  respective  counties  will  show  when  raised  by  fanners 
who  have  no  special  knowledge  of  the  requirements  of  the  sugar  beet  as  to  culture, 
soil,  etc. 

If  the  averages  of  the  sugar  contents  for  the  various  counties,  as  given  in  the  last 
table,  be  marked  on  a  Wisconsin  map,  and  the  counties  whose  averages  come,  say, 
above  13  and  above  14  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice  be  shaded,  it  will  at  once  be 
noticed  that  the  counties  producing  the  richest  beets  are  those  lying  east  and  south- 
east of  the  Wisconsin  River,  and  those  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  State  along 
the  Mississippi  and  St.  Croix  rivers,  from  Buffalo  County  and  north.  The  Lake 
Shore  region  is  shown  to  be  peculiarly  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  sugar  beets; 
all  counties  producing  beets  with  an  average  content  of  sugar  in  the  juice  above  14 
per  cent  in  the  past  season's  analyses  border  on  Lake  Michigan  or  are  adjacent  to 
counties  bordering  on  this  lake. 

Mr.  Woll  is  also  of  the  opinion  that  those  soils  of  the  State  which 
have  been  derived  from  limestone  are  best  suited  to  the  growth  of  sugar 
beets.  He  makes  the  following  comment  in  regard  to  the  sugar  content 
of  the  beets : 

Sugar  content  of  beets. — The  table  shows  that  the  average  per  cents  of  sugar  in  the 
juice  for  the  years  given  were  as  follows:  1890-1892,  12.76  per  cent;  1897,  12.67  per 
cent,  or  an  average  of  12.70  per  cent  for  the  years  1890-1897,  tho  last  figure  being 
the  mean  of  nearly  2,200  analyses.  The  usual  minimum  standard  for  beets  adapted 
to  factory  purposes  is  12  per  cent  sugar  in  the  beet.  Since  beets  contain  about  95 
per  cent  of  juice,  this  will  correspond  to  £f  =  12.63  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice. 
Our  average  therefore  exceeds  this  minimum  figure  by  a  small  fraction  of  1  per  cent. 

The  influence  of  the  character  of  the  soil  upon  the  weight,  sugar  con- 
tent, and  purity  of  the  beets  is  summarized  by  Mr.  Woll  in  the  following 
statements: 

In  the  sections  of  our  State  where  exclusive  grain  raising  has  given  way  to  diver- 
sified farming,  dairying,  stock  raising,  or  market  gardening,  the  land  is  usually  in 
a  good  state  of  fertility,  and  a  sufficient  amount  of  barnyard  manure  is  produced 
every  year  so  that  no  artificial  fertilizers  need  be  purchased.  But  where  grain  rais- 
ing is  still  continued  as  the  sole  reliance  of  the  farmers,  there  is  no  hope  for  Bugar- 
beet  culture  until  the  system  of  farming  is  changed,  and  the  manure  produced  by 
the  stock  kept  is  carefully  saved  and  applied,  or  commercial  fertilizers  are  purchased 
for  the  beet  fields. 


122  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Second  method. — The  second  line  of  investigations  conducted  by  the 
experiment  station  consisted  in  the  establishment  of  substations  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  State.  As  was  mentioned  in  a  previous  part  of  this 
report,  this  is  by  far  the  most  hopeful  manner  of  conducting  an  agri- 
cultural survey  of  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  determining  its  suita- 
bility for  the  growth  of  sugar  beets.  In  all,  .'i°>  farmers  who  took  charge 
of  this  substation  work  made  complete  reports  to  the  central  station. 
The  average  expense  per  acre  reported  by  32  of  these  was  $28.73.  One 
report,  showing  an  expense  of  804.34  per  acre,  was  excluded  from  the 
average.  The  average  yield  per  acre,  as  reported  from  the  33  stations, 
was  29,850  pounds,  or  14.0  tons  of  2,000  pounds  each  per  acre.  This 
yield  includes  only  27  returns,  since  G  of  the  substations  failed  to  return 
the  yield  per  acre.  The  lowest  yield  per  acre  reported  was  (I  tons,  and 
the  highest  24. s  tons.  The  average  result  of  the  analyses  of  the  sam- 
ples from  the  different  substations  is  shown  in  the  following  table: 


Average  lor  23  substations  in  southern 
half  of  State  C-'>o  and  31  samples,  re- 
spectively)   

A\  erage  for  L3  substations  in  noil  hern 
half  of  State  (17  ami  15  samples,  re- 
spectively)   

Average  for  ::ti  substations  (47  and  4<J 
Samples,  respectively) 


Weight 
of  beets. 

Sugar  in 

juice. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

Weight 

(it'  beets. 

Sugar  in 

juice. 

Pounds. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

1 'omuls. 

Per  ci  nt. 

1.17 

13.58 

80.0 

1.79 

15.35 

1.42 

13.  35 

81.7 

1.59 

14.97 

1.20 

13.49 

80.6 

1.72 

15.82 

Purity  co- 
ifficient. 


Per  cent. 
79.0 


Si'.  2 


For  the  first  attempt  at  collecting  data  by  a  complete  agricultural 
survey, the  above  results  maybe  regarded  as  exceedingly  encouraging. 
With  larger  experience  on  the  part  of  the  farmers  in  charge  of  the 
experiments,  however,  much  more  valuable  and  convincing  data  mighl 
be  obtained. 

Third  method. — The  third  class  of  experiments  conducted  by  the 
Wisconsin  station  consisted  in  investigations  at  the  station  faun  itself. 
For  the  details  of  these  experiments  Bulletin  64  may  be  consulted.  The 
following  is  a  summary : 

The  field  selected  lor  the  experiments  was  divided  into  two  portions. 

The  eastern   half  had  been   a  meadow  continuously  since  it  came  into 
cultivation  up  to  L895,  when  rape  was  grown  thereon,  followed  by  a 

Crop  of  peas  in   L896.     The  western  half  of  the  held    had   been    plowed 

only  once  during  the  past   twenty  years,  when  it  was  cultivated  in 

Indian   coin.      It    had    been    pastured  during  the  past    ten   years  until 
L896,   when   it    was   planted    to  rape  and   the   rape  eaten  off  by  sheep. 

The   beet   crop  did   nut    do  well   mi   this  Held,   tl.e   whole    northwestern 

portion  of  it.  after   the    1st  of  August,  showing  no  increase  in   the 

growth   of  tin-  beet-,  the  foliage  turning;   yellow  and    the   plant s  dying 

away  to  a  large  extent.    The  field  was  plowed  n'  inches  deep  <>u  May  7, 

and   plowed   again    L2   inches  deep  on  May  HO.     About    four-tilths  of  it 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


123 


was  subsoiled  to  a  depth  of  6  inches.     The  agricultural  analytical  data 
obtained  from  this  field  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

Yield  of  beets  and  of  sugar  per  acre,  main  field. 


Name  of  seed. 


Kleinwanzlebener,  Xeb 

Desprez.  Men 

Klein wanzlebener,  Apew  . . . 
Klein  wan  zlebener,  Hoerning. 

Vilmorin  Improved 

Tilmorin  Kleinwauzlebener. . 

Vilmorin  French 

Kleinwanzbbener,  Floto*  ... 

Desprez  White,  Xo.  2* 

Desprez  White,  Xo.  2 B * 

Wernich'a  Kleinw.,  Floto*... 

Demesmay  * 

Klein wau zlebener.  Neb.  (2)  *  . 

Averages,  etc 


Eastern  balf. 


Yield      Yield 

of  beets  of  beets 

from         per 

plat.      acre, 


Pounds 
3,422 
2,826 
3,  053 
2,875 
2,  221 
2,  473 
2,485 
2,  258 
2,081 
2,108 
2,111 
1,321 


30, 121 


Pounds. 
24,  010 
22,  060 
21,  450 
20,  160 
15,610 
17, 380 
17,  460 
15,  860 

14,  620 
14,810 
14, 840 

15,  510 
20, 760 


Sugar 
in  the 
beet. 


Per  cl. 

12.72 
11.71 
10. 1)6 
15.04 
14.68 
10.65 
11.26 
14.24 
10.95 
15.05 
15.65 
14.23 
15.83 


Sugar 
per 

acre. 


Western  half. 


Yield 

of  beets 

from 

plat. 


Pounds 
3.  059 
2.543 
2,  352 
3,038 
2,291 
1,850 
1,966 
2.259 
1.602 
2,  228 
2.  320 
2,  207 
3,287 


18,043  l     13.22 


385 


Pounds. 

2,  874 

3,  1 22 
2,301 
1,299 
1,308 
2.  728 
2.  701 
1,472 
1,  42!) 
1,408 
1,  236 

799 
355 


Yield 

of  beets 

per 

acre. 

Pounds. 
25,  030 
30. 230 
32.  120 
20,  210 
15, 030 
23,  770 
23.  540 
12.  820 
12.  4C0 
12. 270 
10,  760 
11,600 
10, 300 


23,032      18,472 


Sugar 
in  the 

beet. 


Per  ct. 
15.80 

13.  71 
15.17 
17.06 

14.  28 
14.98 

13.  58 
14.05 

14.  38 
11.71 
13.62 
10.28 
10.75 


Sugar 
per 
acre. 


Pounds. 
3.959 
4.144 
4,873 
3,448 
2.141 
3,561 
3,196 
1,801 
1,790 
1,436 
1.467 
1.  192 
1.058 


14. 18  i       2,  620 


*  Not  included  in  average  for  western  balf. 

The  cost  of  cultivating  this  field  is  given  as  follows: 

Cost  of  growing  an  acre  of  sugar  beets. — A  careful  account  was  kept  throughout  the 
season  of  the  lahor  done  on  the  3-acre  beet  field;  valuing  labor  as  previously  given, 
we  have  the  following  summary: 

Plowing  and  preparing  the  land $12.  42 

Planting 1.70 

Cultivating,  hoeing,  thinning  and  transplanting 51.  63 

Harvesting  and  placing  in  cellar 31.60 


Total 97.35 

This  sum,  $97.35,  or  $32.45  per  acre,  does  not  include  the  cost  of  seed  or  rent  of 
land.  It  is  nearly  $4  higher  than  the  corresponding  figure  obtained  as  the  average 
for  28  substations;  the  greater  cost  with  us  is  easily  accounted  for  by  the  weedy 
condition  of  the  western  half  of  the  field,  as  well  as  by  the  fact  that  the  harvesting 
of  our  beets  was  a  comparatively  slow  and  difficult  job,  since  the  diil'erent  lots  and 
varieties  had  to  be  harvested  and  kept  separately. 

In  addition  to  the  work  summarized  above  the  station  took  part  in 
the  growth  of  high-grade  beets  on  special  plats  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Department.  The  results  of  these  experiments  are  given  in  another 
place. 

Wyoming. 

Thirty-four  samples,  of  beets  grown  in  Wyoming  were  received  at 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  analysis.    The  mean  weight  of  the 

beets  received  was  11)  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  in  the  beet 
17.1'  per  cent,  and  the  mean  purity  82.3.  These  data  are  exceptionally 
fine,  and  show  that,  in  so  far  as  the  production  of  a  crop  is  concerned. 
Wyoming  will  be  able  to  compete  with  any  State  in  the  Onion.  The 
thermal  conditions  which  prevail  in  the  State  arc4  extremely  irregular, 
the  low  valleys  having  warm  and  the  high  plateaus  cool  summers.     It 


124  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

is  evident  that  only  on  the  plateaus,  where  the  land  is  reasonably  level, 
and  where  irrigation  can  be  practiced,  will  it  be  possible  to  grow,  with 
absolute  certainty,  a  crop  of  beets  of  high  saccharine  strength. 

Among  the  counties  of  Wyoming  the  two  which  furnish  the  most  data 
are  Converse  and  Big  Horn.  Converse  County  lies  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  State  and  Big  Horn  in  the  northwestern.  In  the  beets 
from  Converse  County  the  average  weight  was  2G  ounces,  the  mean 
content  of  sugar  17.8  per  cent,  and  the  mean  coefficient  of  purity,  82.2. 
Big  Horn  County  furnished  six  samples,  of  which  the  average  weight 
was  1*0  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar  18.7  per  cent,  and  the  mean 
coefficient  of  purity  82.2. 

When  these  analyses  were  made,  showing  such  fine  results,  we  wrote 
at  once  to  the  parties  to  see  if  we  could  not  get  a  quantity  of  the  beets 
for  mothers  in  producing  beet  seed.  The  reply  was  made  that  they 
had  all  been  frozen,  and  therefore  no  samples  could  be  furnished.  This 
reply  to  our  inquiry  indicates  the  chief  difficulty  to  be  encountered  in 
Wyoming  in  introducing  the  beet  industry,  namely,  the  sudden  advent 
of  cold  weather  and  the  severity  of  the  early  winters  in  that  locality. 
Id  Big  Horn  County  some  of  the  altitudes  are  10,000  feet,  and  the  whole 
county  lias  a  very  great  elevation.  In  the  southeastern  portion  of  the 
State  the  altitude  generally  reaches  7,000  feet.  It  is  evident,  therefore, 
that  these  high  elevations  give  cool  summers  and  favor  the  early  advent 
of  winter. 

Another  point  to  be  considered  is  the  mountainous  character  of  the 
state,  which,  of  course,  precludes  the  possibility  of  culture  over  exten- 
sive areas.  In  low  valleys  protected  by  mountain  ranges,  if  from 
15,000  to  25,000  acres  of  land  in  a  body  could  be  secured,  it  seems  proba- 
ble that  the  industry  of  beet  growing  might  be  introduced  with  every 
probability  of  success.  The  temperature  conditions,  however,  of  Octo 
ber  and  November  should  be  most  carefully  considered,  as  it  would 
doubtless  be  necessary,  even  in  the  most  favored  valleys  of  Wyoming, 
to  have  the  beets  securely  protected  by  the  middle  or  end  of  November. 
This  short  harvesting  season  can  not  help  but  add  a  great  deal  to  the 
cost  of  production,  and  hence  must  be  taken  into  consideration. 

In  that  part  of  the  country  also  the  question  of  the  supply  of  water 
is  a  very  important  factor,  and  must  not  be  lost  sight  of,  as  not  only 
will  water  be  required   for  the  growing  of  crops,  but  also  in  immense 

qnantit ics  for  manufacture. 

'Die  data  at  hand  only  permit  us  to  study  the  composition  of  the 
beet    itself,    and    surely    Wyoming   is   to   be   congratulated    on    having 

produced,  judged  from  the  limited  Dumber  of  samples  supplied,  an 

excellent  quality  of  beets. 

\  I  RM<  '\  i  . 

Only  8  samples  of  beets  from  Vermont  were  received  at  the  Depart 

in  -lit  of  Agriculture,  and  these  were  of  very  high  quality.  The  mean 
weight  of  the  samples  received  was  22  Ounces,  the  mean  content  of 
sugar  iii  the  bed    II. 'J  per  cent ,  and  the  mean  coellicient  of  purity,  84.1. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  125 

At  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Vermont  32  samples  were 
received.  The  average  weight  of  the  beets  received  at  the  experiment 
station  was  17  ounces,  the  mean  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  beet  16.3. 
and  the  mean  purity  84.2.  In  reporting  the  results  of  the  experiments 
the  director  of  the  station  makes  the  following  observations : 

RESULTS    OF    EXPERIMENTS    IN    VERMONT. 

One  hundred  persons  guaranteed  at  the  outset  of  the  season  to  grow  the  crop  and 
ship  us  samples.  We  had  returns  from  twenty-seven.  The  remaining  seventy-three, 
however,  were  not  so  much  at  fault  as  was  the  Weather  Bureau.  The  weather 
throughout  the  State  during  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July  and  the  first  part 
of  August  was  execrable,  there  being  several  times  the  normal  rainfall.  In  almost 
every  case  of  not  sending  samples  the  report  was  that  the  crop  was  drowned  out. 
It  strikes  me  as  somewhat  doubtful  whether  the  results  obtained  in  the  twenty- 
seven  cases  reported  are  truly  representative  of  what  might  be  expected  umler 
normal  conditions  of  weather.  The  percentages  of  sugar  certainly  run  quite 
high.  I  find  that  several  of  the  growers  sent  their  samples  to  Washington.  I 
should  be  gratified,  if  it  were  possible,  to  receive  the  statement  of  the  analyses,  as 
we  may  wish  to  make  some  use  of  the  sugar-beet  data  ourselves,  which,  as  I  under- 
stand, we  are  at  liberty  to  do. 

The  majority  of  those  who  made  a  failure  of  the  work  this  year  expressed  their 
desire  to  try  again  next  year. 

Of  32  beets  analyzed  at  the  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Ver- 
mont the  number  containing  from  12  to  14  per  cent  of  "sugar  was  2;  the 
number  containing  from  12  to  14  per  cent  of  sugar  and  weighing  1G 
ounces  or  over  was  1;  the  number  containing  more  than  14  per  cent  of 
sugar  was  28;  the  number  containing  more  than  14  per  cent  of  sugar 
and  weighing  16  ounces  or  more  was  12. 

It  is  seen  from  the  above  data  that  the  only  limitations  upon  the 
growing  of  beets  in  Vermont  are  the  extent  of  the  area  suitable  to  the 
culture  of  the  beets  and  the  length  of  the  growing  season.  It  is  evi- 
dent, in  so  far  as  growth  is  concerned,  that  such  a  season  as  that  of 
1897  is  capable  of  producing  beets  of  the  highest  grade,  but  the  growing 
season  includes  properly  the  season  of  harvest  and  preservation  of  the 
beets.  The  high  northern  latitude  of  Vermont  and  the  early  and  severe 
winters  must  be  taken  into  consideration  in  this  particular.  Vermont 
is  also  a  mountainous  country,  and  the  areas  of  level  land  are  not 
proportionately  so  great  as  in  most  of  the  States  which  have  been 
considered  for  beet  growing.  Where  bodies  of  from  15,000  to  25,000 
acres  of  level  and  fertile  land  can  be  found  with  the  autumnal  condi- 
tions favorable  for  the  harvest  and  preservation  of  the  beets,  tkere  is  no 
reason  to  doubt  the  possibility  of  successfully  establishing  the  beet 
sugar  industry. 

INFLUENCE    OF   TEMPERATURE    ON    THE    QUALITY    OF    SUGAR   BEETS. 

The  influence  of  temperature  and  other  climatic  conditions  upon  the 
growth  of  beets  is  discussed  under  the  head  of  special  experiments  in 
growing  beets  from  high-grade  seeds.  It  will  be  interesting,  however. 
to  compare  the  deductions  from  that  discussion  with  those  from  data 


126 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IX    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


obtained  from  certain  parts  of  the  country  where  favorable  conditions 
exist  for  making  this  comparison.  The  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  and 
Illinois  are  situated  in  a  peculiarly  favorable  manner  for  a  study  of  this 
kind.  Each  of  these  States  has  a  portion  of  its  area  in  the  theoretical 
thermal  belt  and  a  large  portion  of  its  area  outside  of  that  belt.  In 
each  of  these  States,  therefore,  the  data  received  from  the  various 
counties  were  classified  into  three  portions,  namely,  the  northern,  the 
central,  ami  the  southern  belts. 

The  following  is  a  tabulation  of  the  data  from  each  one  of  these 
sections  in  the  three  States: 

Relation  of  latitude  to  development  of  sugar  content. 


Northern  belt. 

Central  belt. 

Southern  belt. 

Average 

weight  of 

beets. 

Sugar 

in 

beets. 

rarity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Average 

weight  of 

beets. 

Sugar 

in 
beeta. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Average 

\v<  i^lit  ol 

Sujiar 

in 
beets. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Ohio 

Indiana 

Illinois. 

Ounci  s. 
29. 4 

18.0 

220 

Perct. 
13.6 
13.3 
13.2 

79.4 
81.9 

7«J.  :i 

Ounces. 
32.6 
18.5 
20.0 

Per  rt. 
13.2 
11'. '.) 
11.5 

78.0 
80.7 

7.-..  4 

Ounct  s. 
35.0 

14.  J 
19.0 

Perct. 

VI. -1 
10.7 
11.1 

75.3 
78.0 
74.7 

Tiie  data  in  the  above  table  have  a  peculiar  value  in  establishing, 
by  experimental  results,  the  validity  of  the  scheme  employed  in  the 
construction  of  the  theoretical  thermal  belt  suitable  to  the  growing  of 
beets.  In  every  one  of  the  States  mentioned  there  is  a  gradual  deteri- 
oration in  the  quality  of  the  beet,  both  as  respects  its  sugar  content 
and  its  purity,  in  passing  from  the  northern  to  the  southern  belt  of  the 
State.  It  may  be  said  that  the  difference  between  the  two  extreme 
areas  is  not  very  great,  and  that  for  this  reason  it  would  be  advis- 
able to  establish  factories  indiscriminately  in  one  or  the  other  of  the 
belts,  according  to  more  or  less  favorable  local  conditions,  aside  from 
the  sugar  content  of  the  beet.  The  fallacy  of  this  statement,  however, 
will  be  evident  to  anyone  who  studies  carefully  the  conditions  of  manu- 
facture. An  increase  of  1  per  cent  in  the  sugar  content  of  the  beet 
means  an  increase  of  I'D  pounds  per  ton  in  the  amount  of  sugar  manu- 
factured, without  any  corresponding  increase  in  the  expeuse  of  manufac- 
ture. In  other  words,  the  cost  of  extracting  the  sugar  from  a  ton  of 
beets  which  would  yield  ISO  pounds  would  be  just  as  great  as  that 
attending  a  ton  of  beets  which  would  yield  200  pounds  of  sugar.  But 
the  additional  value  of  the  20  pounds  Of  sugar  manufactured  might 
in  many  instances  determine  whether  the  business  would  he  con- 
ducted at  ;i  profit  or  a  loss.  The  above  assumption  is  true  on  the 
Supposition  thai  the  coefficient  of  purity  remains  the  same  in  each  case. 
When  we  consider  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  the  sugar,  the  deprecia- 
tion in  the  purity  of  tin'  juice,  the  discrepancy  between  the  sections 
becomes  all  the  greater,  ^nt  only  is  the  loss  nttending  the  lower 
sugar  content  <>i  tie-  beel  to  be  considered,  bul  also  tin'  additional  loss 


BEET  SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  127 


which  is  coupled  with  the  lower  purity.  Iu  other  words,  a  ton  of  beets 
with  a  coefficient  of  purity  of  80,  which  would  yield  200  pounds  of 
sugar  by  the  ordinary  processes  of  manufacture,  would  yield  very 
much  less  than  this  if  the  purity  coefficient  should  fall  to  76,  and 
would  yield  very  much  more  if  it  should  rise  to  85.  The  data  obtained 
in  the  above  table  afford  convincing  proof  of  the  fact  that  it  is  not  safe 
to  push  the  manufacture  of  beet  sugar  too  far  south  of  the  theoretical 
thermal  belt,  unless  the  depreciation  in  the  sugar  content  and  purity  of 
the  beet  is  compensated  for  by  some  remarkable  local  factors,  in  the 
way  of  cheapness  of  manufacture,  which  will  make  good  the  loss  due  to 
the  low  content  of  sugar  and  the  low  purity  of  the  juice.  These  figures, 
obtained  in  this  miscellaneous  way.  are  fully  corroborated  by  the  care- 
ful experimental  data  obtained  in  the  culture  of  high-grade  beets  at  the 
six  stations  which  are  mentioned  in  another  place.  From  exactly  the 
same  seeds,  planted  in  exactly  the  same  way  and  cultivated  in  the  same 
manner,  exceptionally  high  grade  beets  of  fine  sugar  content  and  high 
purity  were  obtained  from  the  Xew  York  station,  good  beets  were 
grown  at  the  Wisconsin  station,  fairly  good  beets  at  the  Iowa  station, 
beets  with  a  fairly  good  content  of  sugar  but  diminutive  in  size  on 
account  of  the  drought  at  the  Indiana  station,  beets  of  good  size  and 
very  low  content  of  sugar  at  the  Kentucky  station,  beets  of  only  mini- 
mum content  of  sugar  and  very  small  size  at  the  Tennessee  station. 
These  results  are  such  as  should  be  studied  carefully  by  intending 
investors  who  desire  to  place  their  money  where  the  certainty  of  return 
is  the  greatest.  With  such  magnificent  areas  open  to  cultivation  as  are 
found  iu  the  States  of  New  York,  northwestern  Pennsylvania,  northern 
Ohio,  northern  Indiana,  and  southern  Michigan,  it  would  not  be  wise  for 
meu  of  capital  to  select  localities  which  the  figures  at  hand  indicate  are 
less  favoiable  to  the  production  of  high-grade  beets.  The  data  which 
have  been  obtained  from  New  York  and  from  Michigan  indicate  that 
with  the  best  principles  of  culture,  with  good  fertilization  and  skilled 
oversight,  beets  can  be  grown  over  wide  areas  fully  equal  in  sugar-pro- 
ducing power  to  those  which  are  grown  by  the  skilled  farmers  of  Ger- 
many. On  the  other  hand,  it  is  quite  certain  that  if  the  area  of  culture 
be  pushed  to  the  south,  so  as  to  fall  entirely  without  the  limits  of  the 
thermal  belt,  the  same  fertility  of  soil,  the  same  fertilization,  and  the 
same  care  in  culture  will  produce  beets  less  rich  in  sugar,  with  a  lower 
purity,  and  yielding  less  sugar  per  ton  than  those  grown  in  the  locali- 
ties first  mentioned. 

As  to  how  far  the  successful  growth  of  the  sugar-beet  industry  can 
be  pushed  north  of  the  limit  of  (J9°,  it  may  be  said  that  the  only  con- 
dition to  be  considered  in  this  matter  is  the  possibility  of  producing 
and  ripening  a  crop  and  harvesting  it  before  the  rigors  of  winter  set  in. 
The  culture  of  the  sugar  beet  may  be  very  successfully  practiced  in 
localities  where  the  mean  summer  temperature  falls  even  as  low  as  04°, 


128  BEET-SUGAB    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

provided  the  latitude  is  far  enough  uortli  to  get  sufficient  sunshine 
to  mature  the  beets  before  the  frosts  of  autumn.  If  the  autumn  be 
mild  and  merge  gradually  into  winter,  the  limit  of  successful  culture 
will  be  found  where  the  freezing  weather  of  winter  cuts  short  the  time 
required  for  the  harvesting  and  siloing  of  the  crop  of  beets.  In  the 
light  of  the  data  at  present  available,  therefore,  the  southern  limit  of 
the  sugar-beet  belt  may  be  regarded  as  the  isotherm  of  71°  for  the  three 
summer  months,  occasionally  pushing  50,  75,  or  even  more  miles  south 
of  this  line,  where  exceptional  conditions  of  soil  and  manufacturing 
facilities  are  presented.  The  facts  of  the  case,  however,  warrant  the 
statement  that  the  safer  plan  will  be  not  to  push  south  of  the  isotherm 
of  71°  so  long  as  equally  favorable  conditions  of  soil  and  manufacture 
arc1  obtainable  north  of  this  line  of  demarcation.  It  is  deemed  wise  to 
dwell  particularly  upon  this  subject,  because  of  the  fact  that  so  many 
people  living  south  of  the  isotherm  of  71°  are  vitally  interested  in  this 
matter  and  so  eager  to  have  the  industry  established  in  the  neighbor- 
hoods in  which  they  live.  The  conclusions  which  have  been  drawn  are 
not  meant  to  discourage  experimental  work  in  areas  widely  remote  from 
those  mentioned.  It  is  only  just,  however,  to  call  attention  to  the  fact 
that  investments  of  large  amounts  of  capital  which  result  disastrously 
do  more  to  deter  the  successful  establishment  of  an  industry  than  a 
much  larger  number  of  successful  investments  favor  it.  For  instance, 
in  I  he  State  of  Wisconsin  we  have  an  illustration  of  the  financial  failure 
of  an  attempt  to  manufacture  beet  sugar,  and  as  a  result  of  this  fail- 
ure it  will  be  difficult  to  induce  capital  to  look  for  investment  in 
Wisconsin  in  the  sugar-beet  industry,  although  the  conditions  in  that 
State  are  exceedingly  favorable  to  success.  Had  it  not  been  for  the 
failure  of  the  factory  projected  at  Menominee  Palls,  it  is  quite  certain 
that  other  capital  would  be  invested  in  the  Slate  at  the  present  time, 
and  instead  of  the  industry  being  in  a  stagnant  condition  it  would  be 
advancing  on  the  road  toward  success.  It  is  extremely  important  that 
no  mistakes  be  made  from  a  financial  point  of  view,  and  that  every 
precaution  to  avoid  these  mistakes  be  observed.  When  subsequent; 
experimentation  shall  have  demonstrated  that  there  are  areas  outside, 

and  especially  south  of  the  theoretical  belt,  equally  as  well  suited  to  the 

growth  of  beets  sufficiently  rich  in  sugar  as  those  which  have  been 

mentioned,  it  will  be  time  enough  to  ask  capital  to  seek  investment 
in  t  hose  localities. 

BUGAB    BEETS  AS  OATTLB    POOD. 

Thousands  Of  tanners   in    various   parts  of  the    country  are   growing 

beets  in  an  experimental  way  and  have  no  opportunity  to  dispose  oil 

their  product  t«>  sugar  factories.  These  fanners  may,  nevertheless, 
find  the  giowing  of  small  quantities  of  sugar  1m  els  profitable  by  using 

the  product  for  cattle  t<>o<i.    Following  is  an  andysis  Lately  made  in 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  129 

this  laboratory  of  a  sample  of  sugar  beets  received  from  a  locality 
such  as  is  mentioned  above : 

Composition  of  fresh  beet  pulp. 


Moisture 

Fiber  (crude) 

Ash 

Ether  extract  (fat) 

Protekls 

Sugar  and  other  carbohydrates 


Fresh 
pulp. 


Dry 

matter. 


Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

73.87 

1.53 

5.89 

1.35 

5.18 

.11 

.42 

2.21 

8.47 

20.93 

80.04 

100. 00 


100.  00 


The  sample  in  question  contained  73.87  per  cent  of  water  and  2G.13 
per  cent  of  dry  matter.  The  analyses  of  hundreds  of  samples  of  beets 
in  this  laboratory  show  that  the  average  content  of  fiber,  usually  called 
"marc,"  is  about  5  per  cent.  In  the  process  of  analysis  all  this  marc  is 
dissolved  except  that  which  is  entered  above  as  crude  fiber,  namely, 
1.53  per  cent.  The  difference  between  this  and  the  5  per  cent  average 
content  of  marc,  namely,  3.47  per  cent,  shows  the  quantity  of  carbohy- 
drate matter  not  sugar  contained  in  the  20.93  per  cent  of  total  sugars 
and  carbohydrates.  The  quantity  of  sugar  in  the  sample  analyzed 
was,  therefore,  17.46  per  cent.  Practically  all,  however,  of  the  carbo- 
hydrates, except  those  represented  by  the  crude  fiber,  are  digestible,  so 
that  the  soluble  marc  has  practically  the  same  food  va'ue  as  the  sugar 
itself.  The  ratio  of  the  proteid  matter  to  the  digestible  carbohydrates 
plus  fat  multiplied  by  2J,  is  9.59.  This  ratio  shows  that  the  food  is 
particularly  a  fattening  one,  and  could  be  used  to  great  advantage  in 
preparing  fat  stock  for  market.  The  analysis  also  indicates  that  the 
food,  to  secure  the  best  results  for  all-round  sustenance,  should  be  fed 
with  some  highly  nitrogenous  ration  in  order  to  secure  a  smaller  ratio 
between  the  two  groups  of  nutrients.  It  may  be  said  with  perfect  con- 
fidence that  it  will  be  far  more  profitable  for  the  farmer  to  grow  sugar 
beets  at  12  tons  per  acre  for  cattle  food  than  other  root  crops,  such 
as  turnips  and  rutabagas,  which  will  yield  double  that  quantity  per 
acre.  The  food  value  of  these  crops  does  not  depend  upon  the  gross 
tonnage,  but  upon  the  actual  nutrients  which  they  contain.  Sugar 
beets  contain,  as  is  seen,  over  20  per  cent  of  their  weight  of  actual 
nutrients,  while  turnips  and  radishes  may  contain  only  from  G  to  12 
per  cent. 

USE  OF  BEET  PULPS  FOR  CATTLE  FOOD. 

The  residue  from  beet  factories,  in  the  form  of  the  beet  pulp,  is  also 
a  valuable  cattle  food.  In  this  country  no  carefully  controlled  feed- 
ing experiments  have  been  conducted  with  this  material,  but  the 
question  has  been  studied  most  thoroughly  in  Europe,  and  the  data 
obtained  can  be  used  for  our  guidance.  There  is  practically  no  dif- 
ference in  chemical  composition  between  the  beet  pulps  obtained  in 
11.  Doc.  39G 9 


130 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Europe  and  in  this  country,  so  that  the  deductions  to  be  drawn  from  the 
feeding  experiments  in  that  country  can  be  applied  with  perfect  safety 
to  similar  work  here.  At  many  of  the  factories  in  this  country  practi- 
cal feeding  tests  have  been  made,  and  with  favorable  results.  Having 
heard  that  successful  experiments  in  feeding  cattle  and  sheep  had 
been  conducted  at  the  factory  of  the  Pecos  Valley  Beet  Sugar  Com- 
pany, I  addressed  a  letter  to  the  manager  of  that  factory,  and  received 
the  following  reply: 

Eddy,  N.  Mex.,  February  21,  1S9S. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  the  14th.  Shortly  before  the  close  of  our  cam- 
paign, Mr.  A.  J.  Crawford,  a  large  sheep  owner  of  this  section,  looked  into  the 
question  of  feeding  beet  pulp  to  sheep,  and  finally  decided  to  try  a  bunch  of  500 
iambs  as  an  experiment.  These  lambs  were  the  culls  of  his  Hock,  and  when  brought 
to  the  feeding  pens  at  the  factory  were  in  very  poor  condition.  In  a  few  days  they 
took  to  the  pulp  very  readily,  and  are  now  eating  7  to  10  pounds  of  pulp  per  day 
each,  with  sufficient  hay  (alfalfa)  as  roughening.  They  have  picked  up  wonder- 
fully during  the  time  they  have  been  here,  and  Mr.  Crawford  tells  me  that  they  are 
now  the  best  looking  of  any  he  has.  He  is  so  well  satisfied  with  the  result  of  his 
experiment  that  about  a  week  ago  he  brought  in  2,000  ewes  with  the  intention  of 
feeding  them  on  the  pulp  during  the  lambing  season.  You,  of  course,  are  aware 
that  the  pulp  is  a  great  milk  producer,  and  by  feeding  it  Mr.  Crawford  will  be  al>]« 
to  carry  both  ewes  and  lambs  through  in  good  shape  until  the  grass  comes,  and, 
of  course,  thereby  prevent  the  loss  which  he  would  otherwise  have  to  stand  of  the 
many  ewes  and  lambs  which  would  die  on  the  range. 

When  the  lambing  season  is  over  and  we  see  how  the  sheep  come  through  I  shall 
be  glad  to  write  you  fully.  Mr.  Crawford  is  anxious  to  make  a  contract  tor  all  our 
next  year's  pulp,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  feeding  of  sheep  on  pulp  in  this 
valley  will  become  quite  an  industry. 

Yours,  truly,  A.  S.  Goetz, 

General  Manager* 

Mr.  H.  W.  WlLBY, 

Division  of  Chemistry,  Washington,  D.  C. 

It  is  evident  from  the  above  that  these  practical  experiments  in  feed- 
ing, although  not  controlled  by  actual  chemical  analyses,  have  been 
eminently  successful,  and  it  is  not  at  all  unlikely  that  within  a  few 
years  our  beet  factories  will  be  able  to  contract  in  advance  for  all  the 
pulp  which  they  can  possibly  produce.  To  illustrate  more  clearly  the 
value  of  the  pulp  and  its  value  for  feeding  purposes, the  following 
extracts,  taken  from  standard  European  authorities,  are  published: 

DIFFUSION    PULPS   <>K    EXHAUSTED   COSSETTES. 

The  following  table  contains  an  average  of  analyses  made  by  Messrs. 
Vivien,  Lucas,  Duvin,  Durot,  and  Duponl  as  a  commission  of  experts 
iii  France: 


Fresh 
pulp. 

Per  <•'  at. 

.  92 

e  52 

.00 

1.40 

Dr3 
material 

Per  cent. 

H.  48 

.v.i.  76 

18.15 

Pal                                                                                                           

.88 

12.83 

100.  Oo 

LO.y] 

100.00 

BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  131 

FEEDING  EXPERIMENTS  WITH  BEET  PULP. 

Extensive  tests  in  feeding  pulps  have  been  made  at  the  Francieres 
sugar  house  of  M.  Gallois.  The  following  animals  were  used:  (1)  Beef 
cattle,  (2)  oxen,  (3)  milch  cows,  (4)  sheep,  (5)  ewes.  Before  beginning 
the  tests,  these  animals  were  all  gradually  accustomed  to  the  change 
from  their  customary  ration  to  that  of  diffusion  pulp. 

(a)  Beef  cattle. — Twelve  beeves  each  received  every  day,  in  three 
meals,  52.26  kilograms  (115  lbs.)  of  diffusion  pulps,  mixed  with  3  kilo- 
grams of  linseed  oil  cake  and  3  kilograms  (6.6  lbs.)  of  chopped  alfalfa. 
Tbeir  weight  increased  an  average  of  1.004  kilos  (2.214  lbs.)  per  day. 
If  we  consider  the  value  of  the  meat  as  0.95  franc  ($0.19),  that  of  the 
oil  cake  0.25  franc  ($0.05),  and  that  of  the  alfalfa  0.08  franc  ($0,016)  per 
kilogram  (2.2  lbs.),  we  find  that  the  feeding  value  of  the  diffusion  pulp 
was  6.58  francs  (81.316)  per  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.). 

(b)  Oxen. — Four  oxen  each  received  the  following  ration  per  day: 
57.5  kilograms  (126.8  lbs.)  of  diffusion  pulp  mixed  with  5  kilograms  (12 
lbs.)  of  alfalfa  and  1  kilogram  (2.2  lbs.)  of  linseed-oil  cake.  These  cat- 
tle decreased  somewhat  in  weight  in  the  first  fifteen  days,  and  did  less 
than  the  usual  amount  of  vvork,  but  in  the  second  fifteen  days  they  had 
entirely  recovered.  The  trial  continued  two  and  a  half  months.  In 
making  a  calculation  analagous  to  that  above,  the  value  of  the  diffu- 
sion pulp  was  4.78  francs  (80.956)  per  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.). 

(c)  Milch  cores. — The  test  with  milch  cows  lasted  thirty  days.  Two 
cows  were  employed — one  Flemish  and  the  other  Dutch.  Before  the 
tests  the  cattle  were  fed  on  dry  alfalfa  with  a  small  quantity  of  beet 
pulps  produced  by  the  hydraulic  press  method.  The  cows  were  each 
given,  per  day,  45  kilograms  (99.2  lbs.)  of  diffusion  pulp  with  2  kilo- 
grams (4.4  lbs.)  of  alfalfa.  The  tests  demonstrated  that  the  diffusion 
pulp  is  more  advantageous  as  regards  lactation  than  in  the  production 
of  liesh. 

Cows  fed  on  diffusion  pulps. 


Date. 

Cream  per  100  cc.  of 
milk. 

Cow  No.  1. 

Covr  No.  2. 

April  27 

8.00 
7.50 
7.50 
7.  5U 

7  00 

May  1 

8  00 

Mav  12 

May  19 

8  00 

From  these  tests  it  was  shown  that  the  milk  of  the  cows  fed  from 
diffusion  pulp  contained  an  average  of  7.68  per  cent  of  cream.  The 
butter  produced  from  this  milk  did  not  have  the  peculiar  disagreeable 
odor  which  is  present  in  that  from  cows  fed  on  press  pulps. 


132  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

(d)  Sheep. — In  this  test  twenty  merino  sheep  were  fed  on  diffusion 
pulp.  The  following  table  shows  the  result  of  this  test  and  the  rations 
fed  per  animal: 

Weight:  Kilos. 

April4 948         =2,085.6    pounds. 

April26 1,008        =2,217.6    pounds. 

Total  increase 60         =  132.0    pounds. 

Increase  per  sheep  per  day 0.137=  .3    pounds. 

Average  rations  per  head  : 

Pulp 5.4     =  11.88  pounds. 

Linseed-oilcake .2     =  .  44  pounds. 

Chopped  alfalfa .5     =  1.10  pounds. 

It  was  not  necessary  to  make  other  additions  to  the  diffusion  pulp, 
since  the  sheep  ate  it  with  avidity.  With  the  aid  of  these  figures  we 
may  calculate  the  value  of  the  pulp  as  follows: 

The  sheep  gained  per  day  0.137  kilogram  (.3  lb.)  in  meat,  which  at 
1  franc  ($0.20)  per  kilo  (2.2  lbs.)  equals  0.137  franc  ($0,027).  They  con- 
sumed a  ration,  exclusive  of  the  pulp,  costing  0.09  franc,  therefore  the 
value  of  the  5.4  kilos  (11.9  lbs.)  of  diffusion  pulp  was  0.047  ($0.01),  or 
8.70  francs  ($1.74)  per  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.). 

Experiments  made  with  ores. — The  ewes  were  obtained  from  a  Hock 
from  which  the  lambs  had  just  been  separated.  In  feeding  the  ewes, 
to  which  a  somewhat  larger  ration  was  given,  the  value  of  the  pulp 
was  found  to  be  G.03  francs  ($1,206)  per  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.). 
Taking  all  of  these  elements  into  account,  the  experts  estimated  defi- 
nitely the  value  of  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.)  of  diffusion  pulp  to  be 
5.65  francs  (81.11).  They  also  demonstrated  that  diffusion  pulps  keep 
perfectly. 

Not  taking  into  account  questions  of  transportation,  etc.,  the  value 
of  diffusion  pulp  was  estimated  at  0.10  francs  (81.22)  per  1,000  kilo- 
grams (2,205  lbs.).  Basing  a  conclusion  upon  the  chemical  analysis 
of  the  pulp,  a  value  of  6.44  francs  ($1,288)  was  obtained,  as  compared 
with  the  (J. 10  francs  (81.22)  per  1,000  kilograms  (2,205  lbs.)  given  by 
experiments. 

EXPERIMENTS    I'.Y    .\NI><>!    \K!>   a  m  >    M/.ACNAI. 

(Sucrerie  Beige,  Vol.  L2,  No.  7.) 

In  tests  in  feeding  diffusion  pulp  to  milch  COWS  this  pulp  was  given 
in  a  ration,  first  of  27  kilograms  {rt(.).r>  lbs.)  ami  later  55  kilograms  (121.3 
\\)s.j  per  day,  and  produced  immediately  an  increase  of  approximately 
.'52  per  cent  in  the  yield  of  milk,     it,  appeared,  however,  to  be  without 

influence  OB  the  richness  of  the  milk  in  casein  and  mineral  matter,  but 

produced  an  increase io  the  yield  of  butter  of  L2,  I  percent, and  in  that 
of  the  Bugar  of  24.63  percent  over  the  previous  proportions  of  these 
constituents,     it,  however,  gave  the  milk  a  less  agreeable  taste  and  a 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


133 


certain  predisposition  to  an  acid  fermentation.     The  butter,  therefore, 
would  probably  not  be  of  excellent  quality. 

Analyses  of  diffusion  pulps  before  ensilage* 


Constituents. 

Maercker. 

Kiihn. 

Water 

Per  cent. 

89.77 

10.23 

.58 

.05 

2.39 

.89 

6.32 

Per  cent. 
88.9 

11.  1 

Ash 

.9 

Fat 

.1 

2.5 

.9 

6.7 

Diffusion  pulps  after  having  been  stored  in  the  silos.' 


Constituents. 


Maercker. 


Kiilin. 


Water , 

Dry  matter . 
Ash , 


Fat 

Crude  fiber 

Crude  protein 

Nitrogen-free  extract 


Per  cent. 

88.52 

11.48 

1.09 

.11 

2.80 

1.07 

6.41 


Per  cent. 
87, 
12 


3 
1. 
7.3 


Sachs'  Revue  Universelle  des  Progres  de  la  Fabrication  du  Sucre,  1,  428. 
Analysis  of  diffusion  pulps,  by  Pellet. 


Constituents. 


Pressed 

pulp. 


Dry  ma- 
terial. 


Water 

Nitrogenous  matter 

Digestible  carbohydrates  . . 
Indigestible  carbohydrates 
Fat 

Soluble  mineral  matter 

Insoluble  mineral  matter  . . 


Per  cent. 

88.06 

.84 

7.30 

2.46 

.06 

.43 


Dry  matter 


100.  00 
11.94 


Per  cent. 

""7.04 

61.14 

20.60 

.50 

3.60 

7.12 


100.  00 


Maercker  (Sucrerie  Beige,  vol.  11,  page  4G4)  determined  that  siloed 
pulps,  in  addition  to  losing  water,  also  lost  a  considerable  portion  of 
their  dry  matter.  This  is  shown  in  the  following  statement  of  the 
analysis  of  pulps  which  were  siloed  for  live  months,  in  which  time  they 
lost  the  following  percentages: 

Thirty-seven  and  eight- tenths  of  nitrogen  free  extract,  25.5  of  nitrog- 
enous matter  and  29.G  of  the  liber  which  they  contained:  The  pulps 
gained,  on  the  contrary,  in  fat,  owing  to  the  lactic  and  butyric  fermen- 
tations. The  losses  were  due  to  decomposition,  and  not  to  entrainment 
in  the  moisture  lost. 


134  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Analyses  of  diffusion  pulp,  by  Vivien.* 


Constituents. 


Digestible  proteids  (nitrogen  X  6.25) 

Indigestible  proteids  (amid  nitrogen  X  9) 

Nitrate  of  potassium 

Digestible  carbohydrates 

Cellulose  and  indigestible  carbohydrates  . 

Fat 

Sugar 

Assimilable  mineral  matter 

Indigestible  mineral  matter 

Water 


Pressed 

Dry  ma- 

pulp. 

terial 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent 

0.64 

7.73 

.04 

.43 

.05 

.60 

4.07 

49.15 

1.92 

23.  It 

.05 

.60 

.54 

6.  52 

.35 

4.23 

.61 

7.37 

91.  72 

100.  00 


100.  00 


Analyses  of  diffusion  pulp,  by  Pellet." 


Constituents. 


Pressed 
pulp. 


Dry  ma- 
terial. 


Water 

Organic  matter 

Soluble  inorganic  matter 
Insoluble  inorganic  matter 


Acidity  (expressed  as  acetic  acid) #. 

Total  nitrogen 

Insoluble  nitrogen  (at  the  boiling  point  of  water) 


Per  cent. 


9.95 
.57 


Per  cent. 


89.50 
5.13 
5.40 


100.  00 
1.01 
.147 
.111 


100.  00 
9.  00 
1.33 


*  Sachs'  Ilevue  TTniverselle  des  Progrea  de  la  Fabrication  da  Bucre,  1,  429. 

The  pulps  diminished  in  weight  in  the  silos,  the  d illusion  pulps  losing 
G  per  cent  per  month.  At  the  same  time  there  was  a  diminution  in  the 
weight  of  the  dry  matter,  approximately  1  per  cent  of  the  diffusion  palp. 

It  is  evident  from  the  above  data  that  the  value  of  the  pulp  from  beet- 
sugar  factories,  especially  in  thickly  settled  countries  and  in  those 
regions  where  the  dairy  interests  are  prominent,  will  prove  of  no  incon- 
siderable advantage  in  the  successful  introduction  of  the  beet  sugar 
industry  and  its  rapid  advancement.  Beet  pulps  form  a  wholesome 
and  nutritions,  though  a  somewhat  poorly  balanced  ration.  Tlieii 
chief  nutriment  is  found  in  the  carbohydrates,  composing  the  marcoi 
the  beel  and  including  the  unextracted  sugar,  and  in  the  proteid  nitrog- 
enous matters,  and  a  large  percentage  of  these  is  easily  digested. 
While  beet  pulp  is  not  suitable  for  the  entire  food  of  the  animal,  it  can 

be  made  a  principal  part  thereof,  varying  its  proportions  with  tin 
nature  of  the  effect  desired  to  be  produced.  Experience  has  shown 
that  it  is  especially  relished  by  dairy  cattle,  produces  an  abundani 
supply  of  milk,  and  where  properly  preserved  and  fed,  it  can  be  use* 

in  great  abundance  Without  imparting  to  the  milk,  butter,  (»!•  cheese 
any  unpleasant  flavor. 


SUMMARY.    OP   DATi    COLLECTED   IN    PREVIOUS   YEARS. 

In  order  to  present  data  covering  as  wide  a  held  as  possible,  and 
including  the  experiments  of  several  seasons,  the  following  table  has 


BEET- SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


135 


been  compiled  from  the  reports  of  the  Division  of  Chemistry  and  from 
the  bulletins  of  the  various  State  experiment  stations: 

Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  various  States. 

[A  compilation  of  the  analytical  data  obtained  at  the  various  State  experiment  stations  for  the  years 
1888  to  1897,  inclusive,  and  at  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  for  the  years  1884  to  1897, 
inclusive.] 


Analyses  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture. 

Analyses  by  the  State  experi- 
ment stations. 

State. 

Tear. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam  - 
pies. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

1893 

1891 
1897 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 
5.9 

66.7 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 

2 

7 

51 
23 

7.7 
9.3 

56.9 
70.4 

1 

i57    

a  8.1 

61.8 

9 

29 

9.0 

67.4 

157 

8.1 

61.8 

1891 
1892 
1897 

Arkansas 

2 
3 
2 

40 
12 
18 

6.4 

9.4 

11.3 

58.8 
64.7 
71.5 

7 

22 

9.1 

65.0 

. 

1884 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 

71 

19 

13.7 

85.3 

5 

14 
18 

"\9 

17 

10.7 
12.1 
10.7 
613.  0 
614.0 
M4.0 
615.0 
6  15.0 
614.0 

77.7 

13 
48 
14 

14.7 

11.1 
14.7 

84.6 
75.8 
77.6 

73.0 

i 

26 

16.8 

88 

21 

13.6 

85.3 

37 

18 

11.2 

75.1 

1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

9.9 

10.2 

11.0 

*13.  5 

*13.  8 

37 
73 
4 
16 

"*25" 

29 
51 

170 
18 

174 

20 
26 
18 
17 

20 

.     12.5 
13.1 
14.8 
13.2 
13.6 

76.1 
76.  1 
81.7 
74.9 
76.7 

83.0 
79.3 
80.6 

12    ., 

14.3 

79.7 

442 

2 
5 

20 

14 
27 

13.9 

78.4 

142  |          25 

11.5 

82.  1 

1890 

Connecticut 

9.7 
10.8 

76.1 
77.3 

... 





7 

23 

10.5 

77.0 

1891 

1890 
L891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 



2 

12 

11.1 

64.9 

"^= 

Idaho  

1 
1 
2 
2 

4 

15 
34 

78 

8.0 
12.7 
14.7 
10.2 

68.3 
74.  9 

79.1 
76.2 



192 

342 

13.7 
I.",.  2 
14.2 
15.2 

76  1 

.......... 

79.9 

60    

41     

77.  3 

7 

21 

15.5 

79.4 

87.6 

13 

30 

13.8 

77.6 

o:;5   

14.6 

80  2 

*  The  sign  *  indicates  that  the  number  given  is  0.95  x  per  cent  of  sugar  reported  since  it  was  doubt- 
ful whether  the  per  cent  of  sugar  was  expressed  m  terms  of  the  weight  of  the  juice  or  t  hat  of  the  beet, 
though  probably  the  former. 

a  Analyses  of  Kleinwan/.lehener  only  show:  32  samples,  BUgW  11.8,  purity  73. 6. 

6  From  report  made  on  the  total  en  p  by  the  Chino  valley  licet  Sugar  Company. 


136 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  various  States — Continued. 


Analyses  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture. 

Analyses  by  the  State  experi- 
ment stations. 

Stat.  . 

Year. 

Num- 
ber of 

sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 

coetii- 
cient. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1897 

8 
36 
59 
32 

Ounces. 
31 
32 
15 

Perct 
10.3 
11.7 
10.9 

72.1 
76.4 

75.  2 
75.5 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 

17         13.1 

312 

20 

11.9 

76.4 

135 

21         11.6 

75.4 

312 

5 
10 
26 

131 
95 
49 
84 

205 

20 

a  20 
12 
12 
25 
18 

11.9 

76.4 

1838 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1897 

12.2 
li.9 
9.1 
12.0 
11.1 
11.8 
11.8 
12.0 

56 

77 

57 

4 

23 
27 
14 

10 

10.7 
11.6 
11.2 
10.7 

72.7 
76.9 
72.5 
73.1 

"*"78.*8 
76.8 
79.3 
78.8 

103 

14          13. 1 

78.9 

80.7 

297 
1 

19         11.9 

75.9 
76.9 

605 

17 

11.7 

79.2 

1891 

1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1897 

27 

11.6 

4 

12 
34 
503 
404 
563 
150 
642 

17 
34 
33 
16 
21 
19 
19 
19 

11.9 
9.9 
10.7 
12.1 
11.6 
11.9 
11.5 
12.4 

76.5 

64.9 

30 

321 

30 

7 

22 
30 
24 
17 

11.8 
11.8 
10.9 
12.8 

74.5 
75.7 
76.2 
75.8 

71.4 
74.0 
72.9 
76.1 
74.9 

130 

18          13.3 

73.7 

76.6 

518 

26  |       12. 1 

75.2 

2,312 

7 

10 

183 

115 

22 

158 

19 

12.0 

75.0 

1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

31 
19 
21 
21 
17 

8.9 
7.9 
9.6 
10.2 
10.1 
11.9 

69.7 

22 
36 
22 

1 
41 

32 

33 
25 

""27' 

8.3 
10.7 
11.1 
14.3 
11.4 

69.  3 
68.2 
74.2 
72.8 
73.8 

'"i'o'.k 
73.4 
71.8 
77.0 

122 

29 

10.0 

71.4 

501 

19 

10.  4 

73.4 

1891 
1892 

1897 

3 

4 
6 

34 
13 

it; 

9.1 
8.9 

11.9 

63.7 

77.2 
71.5 

13 

19 

10.3 

72.  2 

68.3 

79.  3 
08.  5 
7'.».  1 

1893 

1890 
L891 

L897 



3 

83 

2 

29 

12 

15 

it; 

19 

8.9 

12.2 
7.4 

11.4 

5 

10 

L2.9 

79.  7 

114 

lti 

11.9 

79.  1 

5 

10 

12.2 

79.  7 

1880 
L890 
L891 

10 

8 

6 

""if 

17 

18.2 

13.4 
13.4 

<; 

it; 

12.0 

677.1 

;-  1 

6 

10 

12.0 

82.8 

22 

t; 

17 

a  18 

12.8 
13.0 

77.6 

L890 
L891 
L892 
1898 
1897 

■ 

80 

71 
450 

31 

B2 

lit 

15 

22 

12. « 

1 1   1 

13.  3 
11.7 

-    1 
78.  i' 

H3.4 

82.  1 

HI.  1 

229 

18.8 

27 

16  4 

84.0 

•J'-' 

14.2 

81.1 

700 

15.5 

84.7 

relghl  <>i  71  uunpli  h  Purity  of  i»ut  1  sample, 

<•  A  hi  11I'  2  samples. 


BEET  SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


137 


Analyses  of  sugar  beets  groicn  in  various  States — Continued. 


State. 

Analyses  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture. 

Analyses  by  the  State 
ment  stations. 

axperi- 

Tear. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 

weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

107 
41 
22 
7 
49 

Ounces. 
30 
29 
29 
60 
24 

Per  ct. 
11.8 
12.4 
12.2 
10.8 
11.0 

75.2 
75.7 

78.1 
70.8 
79.2 

55 
467 
180 

Ounces. 

"a  23* 

17 

Per  ct. 

*12.3 

*13.0 

14.3 

76.5 

79.7 
85.5 

143 

17 

13.1 

81.8 

226 

29 

11.7 

76.3 

845 

19 

13.2 

81.1 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1897 

2 

67 

13 

324 

21 
20 
33 
20 

8.4 
10.4 

8.1 
11.7 

66.7 
62.4 
63.4 
73.5 

5 
59 

17 
28 

13.4 
9.3 

67.3 

304 

26 

10.6 

71.0 

40G 

35 
6 
2 

4 

20 

25 
22 
15 
20 

11.4 

13.2 
10.9 
14.3 
14.4 

71.6 

76.8 
72.8 
75.0 

77.8 

368 

26 

10.4 

70.4 

1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

70 

23 

14.7 

77.0 

47 

24 

13.1 

76.3 

70 

23 

14.7 

77.0 

1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1895 
1897 

9 
159 
462 

218 

98 

(c) 

637 

106 



46 

17 

fc23 

17 





12.7 
10.3 
*12.  3 
12.8 
9.8 
11.3 
12.1 
11.7 

54.5 

269 
62 

27 
8 

20 
35 
21 
17 

11.8 
11.7 
14.2 
10.1 

71.9 
75.3 
79.3 
69.7 

73.9 
77.9 
72.4 
77.0 
76.9 

13 

29 

12.9 

76.9 

75.0 

379 

23 

12.0 

73.1 

1,689 

22 

11.9 

73.7 

1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 

18 
81 

11 
13 

17.2 
15.9 

88.0 
83.4 

222 

221 

"51 

25 
18 
20 

12.5 
14.8 
13.6 

76.9 

80.8 
80.8 

176 

13.1 

(Z77.8 

21 

18 

18.3 

81.4 

10 

19 

18.9    

120 

1 

14 
19 

16.5 
11.6 

83.7 

680 

21 

13.6 

78.7 

New  Hampshire 

1891 

1891 
1893 
1897 

80.  0 

New  Jersey 

1 

17 

7.3 

70.8 

8 

11.7 

76.2 

31 

16 

14.2 

81.4 

32 

16 

14.0 

81.1 

8    

11.7 

76  2 

New  Mexico 

1891 
1892 
1897 

17 

29 

3 

28 
19 
13 

13.8 
15.3 

17.  2 

74.8 
83.2 
82.0 

3 
219 

""26" 

*17.  0 

1 :!.-_' 



49             •»•>         u  q 

80.2 

222 

•-'() 

13.3 

*  The  sign  *  indicates  that  the  number  given  is  0.95x  per  cent  of  sugar  reported  Bince  ii  waa  doubt- 
ful whether  the  per  cent  of  sugar  was  expressed  in  terms  of  the  weight  of  t lie  juice  or  that  ol  the  beet 
though  probably  the  former. 

a  Average  weight  of  2"J9  samples. 

6  Average  weight  of  88  samples. 

c  Analyses  reported  by  the  Standard  Cattle  Company. 

d  Averages  for  1893  to  1896,  inclusive. 


138 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  various  States — Continued. 


Analyses  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture. 

Analyses  by  the  State  experi- 
ment stations. 

State. 

Year. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Turity 
coefti- 
cieut. 

1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 

6 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 
9.9 

10 
4 
8 

15 
32 

22 

12.1 
11.6 
15.4 

78.0 
76.8 
85.9 

29 
562 

38 
a  16 

12.9 
15.9 

225 

21 

15.0 

82.4 

83.2 

247 

21 

14.8 

82.2 

591 

20 

15  7           «M  0. 

1892 
1893 
1897 

4 

4 

9.0 
4.1 
9.1 

73.4 
52.1 
75.3 

7 

23 

11 

16 

9.1 

74.6 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

24 
11 
11 
2 
4 

25 
23 

24 
27 
28 

13.4 
11.8 

12.9 
14.  U 
10.5 

71.2 
73.2 
76.5 
80.7 
81.2 

129 

29 

13.8 

10.  9           73.  9 

52 

15 
66 
102 
68 

25 

12.8 

73.9 

138 

29 

11.1 

73.  9 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1897 

Ohio 

26 
31 
17 
22 

98 
11.3 

14.2 
13.8 

76.0 
73.5 
80.2 
79.1 

24 

9.8 

554 

31 

13.3 

7-   T 

251 

23 

13.1 

77.9 

57S 

31 

13.2 

78.7 

1891 

1897 

1 
1 

48 
10 

6.4 
11.8 

53.3 
72.5 

21     

lit           65. 3 

2 

29 

9.1 

62.9 

21 

11.4           6.').  3 

1890 

1891 

1 892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
L896 

2 

12 

20 
:;t 
19 

15.1 

12.7 
14.2 

73.4 
81.  1 

80.2 

37 
98 
65 

22 

27 

11.2 

12.  ti 
14.4 

78.4 
82.  7 

23 

14.3 

49 

30 

13.2 

8.0 

13.3 
10.8 
ll.d 
13.8 

80.6 

73.  8 

t:..  s 
78.  9 
79. ". 

223 

24 

13.1 

81.8 

L890 
L891 
1892 

L897 

7 

8 

1 

59 

27 
2  2 
13 

is 

85 
2 

19 

21 

12.8 
LI.  9 

78.4 
74.2 

Rhode  Uland 

L897 

i-'.n 
1897 

-^— 

3 
15 

„ 
IT. 
28 

5.8 

4.9 
5.9 

r.i.7 

18 

17 

13 

17 

9.9 

79.  9 

89 

22 

5.7 

54.7 

,i  a  reragi  ireighl  of  L87  samp]  b  Average  vrelght  of  2  samples. 

i  Avorugos  lor  1893  to  1896,  im -hum  o. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


139 


Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  various  States — Continued. 


Analyses  by  the  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture. 

Analyses  by  the  State 
ment  stations. 

experi- 

State. 

Year. 

X  um- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 

coeffi- 
cient. 

Xuni- 
ber  of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1897 

Ounces. 

Per  ct. 

17 

58 

1,264 

680 

337 

Ounces. 

19 
14 

Per  ct. 
9.1 
14.2 
11.9 
14.2 
15.5 

21 

202 

67 

5 

20 
22 
20 
17 

13.1 
12.5 
13.1 
15.1 

78.6 
75.3 
75.  5 
83.2 

74.7 
73.3 
80.7 
85.6 

295 

21 

12.7 

75.7 

2,356 

22 

13.1 

77.3 

1891 
1892 
1894 
1897 

5 

1 

20 
10 

8.8 
9.4 

65.8 
72.4 

22 

8 

22 
4 

9.5 
12.0 

75.1 

17 

11 

10.8 

71.9 

23 

13 

10.3 

70.6 

30 

17 

10.2 

75.1 

1890 
1891 
1897 

Texas         

2 
10 
11 

38 
23 
22 

10.0 
10.3 
12.6 

69.3 
69.1 
76.5 

14 

34 

8.0 

56.3 

23 

24 

11.4 

72.  7 

« 

34 

8.0 

56.3 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 

Utah           

n 

43 

"27 

15.3 
oll.O 
"12.5 
all. 6 
ol2.7 
ol3.5 
a  13.  9 

86.1 

;; 

80  0 

82.2 



79.5 

:::::::::::::::: 

80.2 

81.5 

i 

81.8 

35 

20 



14.3 

81.1 

35 

20 

14.3 

81.1 

64 

27 

13.4 

83.5 

1897 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

8 

22 

14.2 

84.1 

32 

u 

16.3 

84.2 

20 
72 
13 

14 
34 

15 
21 
12 
16 

21 

10.8 
11.1 
12.0 
13.3 
11.6 

74.0 
70.  0 
79.  6 
83.9 
76.2 



'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

:::::::: 

5 

621 

11.6 

153 

19 

11.4 

76.8 

5 

"        21 

11.6 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 

1 

11 

31 

183 



16 
18 
18 
28 

15.2 
14.5 
14.5 
12.3 

84.2 
83.9 

76.  S 
74.0 

"i*666 

521 

211 

60 

25 

17 

ti 

23 

*13.5 
16.2 
13.4 
13.6 

82.6 

87  9 

80.9 

34 

27 

13.7 

80.7 

;■  ; 

260 

26 

12.8 

75.7 

2.  458 

22 

14.1 

83  4 

1892 

1897 

12 
14 

14 
19 

11.3 
15.4 

68.5 
80.4 

:::::::: 

:::::::: 

26 

17 

13.5 

74.  It 





*  The  sign  *  indicates  that  the  number  given  is  0.95X  per  cent  of  sugar  reported  since  it  was  doubt 
ful  whether  the  per  cent  of  sugar  was  expressed  in  terms  of  the  weight  of  the  juice  or  that  of  the  beet, 
though  probably  the  former. 

a  Report  made  on  total  crop  by  Utah  Sugar  Company,  1891-1896. 

b  Average  weight  (net)  estimated  from  average  gross  weight. 


HO 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Analyses  of  sugar  beets  grown  in  various  States — Ccmtiuued. 


Analyses  by  The  United  States  De-     i    Analyses  by  the  State  experi- 
partment  of  Agriculture.                        '     ment  stations. 

State. 

Year 

X  um- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 

weight. 

Sugar 

in 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

Num- 
ber of 
sam- 
ples. 

Aver- 
age 
weight. 

Sugar 

iu 
beet. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1897 

10 

4:52 

21 

42 

Ounces. 
21 
26 
22 
15 

Per  ct. 
12.8 
11.1 
12.7 
15.8 

81.3 
75.8 
77.8 
83.3 

94 

373 

61 

1,  663 

Ounces. 
35 
32 
26 

Per  ct. 

11.7 
11.9 
15.2 
12.1 

76.3 

76.2 
81.6 
74.1 

505 

5 
18 

6 
48 
34 

25 

11.4 

76.6 

2, 191 

32 

12.1 

74.7 

1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1897 

20 
12 
8 
19 
19 

15.1 
13.5 
15.2 
15.9 
17.2 

78.8 
78.1 
85.2 
80.5 
82.3 

55 
71 
33 

11 
14 

15.4 
15.9 
16.2 

77.8 
78.7 
80.9 

111 

18 

15.8 

80.8 

159 

13 

15.8 

78.8 

NOTES  OX  PRECEDING  TABLE. 

Iii  a  few  instances  analyses  reported  to  the  stations  by  sugar  compa- 
nies or  organizations  designed  for  the  promotion  of  the  sugar  industry 
have  been  included.  It  is  noticeable  that  in  many  States  but  few 
analyses  have  been  made.  In  view  of  this  fact,  it  is  well  to  be  cautious 
in  accepting  the  results  of  these  few  analyses  as  being  representative 
of  the  beets  grown  in  the  State. 

The  reports  from  the  State  of  California  are  especially  incomplete. 
Most  of  the  analyses  reported  are  from  data  obtained  in  the  laboratory 
of  the  Chino  Valley  Beet  Sugar  Company.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  Cali- 
fornia has  several  very  large  and  very  successful  factories,  we  do  not 
regard  the  data  included  here  of  great  value  in  judging  of  the  State 
as  a  producer  of  high-grade  sugar  beets.  We  have  data  of  factory 
averages  obtained  in  California  representing  in  some  cases  more  than 

101), 000  tons  of  beets,  showing  that  the  State  produces  beets  of  very 
high  sugar  content.  Factory  averages  have  been  reported  this  year 
higher  than  1.")  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beets.  It  will  be  noticed  that 
in  most  instances  the  results  obtained  by  the  Department  of  Agri- 
culture corroborate  those  obtained  in  the  stations. 
A  notable  exception  to  this  is  in  the  tabulation  of  the  results  obtained 

with   beets  grown   in    the   State  of  Washington.     The    Department    of 

Agriculture,  however,  has  only  made  ;il><ait  one  tenth  as  many  analyses 

of  Washington  beets  as  the  station.  The  average  of  the  results  of 
the  huge  number  of  Washington  beets  analyzed  shows  that  this  State 
is  destined  to  be  a  large  producer  of  sugar. 

In  ninny  cases  the  averages  are  bused  on  very  incomplete  data,  and 
therefore  must  not  be  considered  strictly  representative  of  all  the  results 
included.  In  figuring  the  general  averages  each  annual  average  is 
weighted  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  samples  it  represents. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


141 


INVESTIGATIONS  IN   SEED   PRODUCTION. 

The  second  line  of  experiments  carried  on  by  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  during  the  season  of  1897  was  devoted  especially  to  the 
culture  of  high-grade  beets  in  cooperation  with  a  few  of  the  agricul- 
tural experiment  stations.  The  localities  selected  for  the  experiments 
were  such  as  would  represent  as  wide  a  range  as  possible  of  climatic 
conditions,  and  be  compatible  with  the  time  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Chemist  of  the  Department  for  doing  the  work,  and  with  the  quantity 
of  high-grade  seeds  on  hand.  It  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  go  into 
the  arid  regions  with  these  experiments,  because  it  was  not  possible, 
in  the  short  time  at  our  disposal,  to  make  proper  preparations  for  the 
conduct  of  our  work.  Under  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture 
the  Chemist  of  the  Department  made  arrangements  with  tbe  following 
experiment  stations  to  conduct  the  work  under  as  nearly  as  possible 
identical  conditions,  except  those  pertaining  to  climate: 

The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  New  York,  at  Geneva. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Indiana,  at  Lafayette. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Wisconsin,  at  Madison. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Iowa,  at  Ames. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Kentucky,  at  Lexiugton. 
The  agricultural  experiment  station  of  Tennessee,  at  Knoxville. 

In  order  that  the  experiments  might  be  conducted  on  plots  of  equal 
area,  each  director  of  the  stations  mentioned  above  was  furnished  with 


n 

U 

Fig.  2— Plot  for  guidance  in  planting  sugar  beets. 

a  diagram  showing  the  manner  in  which  it  was  thought  most  advisable 
to  plant  the  different  varieties  of  seeds.  The  diagram  shown  in  figure 
2  was  accompanied  by  the  following  descriptive  letter: 

United  States  Department  of  Agkiculture, 

Division-  of  Chemistry, 
Washington,  D.  C,  April  £S,  1897. 
Dear  Sir:  For  the  sake  of  having  complete  uniformity  in  the  comparative  t. 
high-grade  beet  seeds,  I  send  herewith  a  diagram  for  the  purpose  of  guiding  you  in 
the  preparation  of  the  plots  and  in  the  planting  of  1  he  seed.     The  object  of  this  d  ia- 
gram  is  to  secure  the  planting  of  the  high-grade  seed  in  the  interior  smaller  plots  VI. 
each  one  of  which  has  almost  exactly  the  area  of  500  square  feet.     If  preferred  the 


142  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

size  of  the  interior  plots  may  be  varied  so  as  to  make  each  of  them  exactly  one  one- 
hundredth  of  an  acre,  namely,  435.6  square  feet.  I  think  it  would  he  better,  however, 
to  keep  the  interior  plots  AB  each  500  square  feet,  as  they  tit  the  rows  as  indicated  by 
the  horizontal  line,  allowing  exactly  14  rows  in  the  plots,  of  a  total  length,  including 
both  interior  plots,  of  about  47.6  feet.  The  interior  plots  AB  are  surrounded  by  a 
border  CCCC,  which  is  to  be  planted  with  the  high-gr.ule  commercial  seeds  which  1 
shall  send  you.  The  end  plots  DI)  are  to  be  planted  with  the  same  kind  of  high-grade 
commercial  seeds  as  CCCC,  but  these  end  plots  are  not  necess.iry  to  the  success  of 
the  experiments.  The  object  of  the  border  CCCC  is  to  surround  the  high-grade 
s«. ,1s  AA  with  beets  grown  under  the  same  conditions,  so  that  the  exterior  rows  of 
the  plots  AA  may  be  subjected  to  the  normal  conditions  of  beet  growth,  which 
would  not  be  the  ease  if  Mich  small  plots  were  left  unprotected.  The  scale  of  the>e 
plots  is  1  inch=zl2  feet.  I  think  it  is  important  that  the  soil  of  the  plots  he 
prepared  in  accordance  with  the  directions  contained  in  Bulletin  No. 52,  a  copy  of 
which  I  transmit  herewith.  The  plowing  and  subsoiling  should  loosen  the  ground 
to  a  depth  of  not  less  than  16,  and,  better,  to  a  depth  of  18  inches,  and  the  surface 
of  the  soil,  after  plowing  and  subsoiling,  should  be  reduced  to  perfect  tilth. 

I  am  now  awaiting  the  remainder  of  the  high-grade  seeds,  which  I  expect  in  a  few 
days.  There  will  be  two  varieties  of  the  high-grade  seeds,  one  to  be  planted  in  Plot 
A  and  the  other  in  Blot  B.  All  the  seeds  sent  you  will  be  plainly  marked,  so  that  no 
mistake  can  be  made.  The  quantity  of  seed  required  for  plots  A  and  B  will  be  about 
5  ounces.  I  think  it  best  that  the  interior  plots  A  and  B  at  least  should  be  planted 
by  hand.  The  number  of  seeds  in  the  5  ounces  being  know  n,  they  should  be  planted 
in  groups  at  intervals  of  9  inches;  that  is,  in  such  a  way  as  to  secure  one  good,  vig- 
orous plant  at  about  every  !)  inches  in  the  row  after  thinning.  Five  ounces  of  seed 
will  contain  approximately  5,000  seeds,  and  in  the  two  plots  A  and  B  there  will  he  888 
hills,  which  gives  approximately  nearly  6  seeds  to  a  hill.  In  this  case  the  planting 
would  be  accomplished  as  follows :  Six  seeds  placed  in  the  row  at  distances  of  1  inch 
apart  followed  by  an  interval  of  3  inches,  then  again  6  seeds  at  intervals  of  1  inch, 
and  so  on.     This  grouping  is  shown  in  the  following  line: 

9  in.  9  in. 


Of  course  the  spacing  will  vary  according  to  the  number  of  seeds  to  be  planted. 
If  there  be  anything  in  connection  with  the  diagram  that  you  do  not   understand 
please  let  me  know. 

Respectfully,  II.  W.  Wiley,  Chief  of  Division. 

The  high-grade  seeds  furnished  for  planting  the  above  plots  were 
as  follows: 

(1)  The  Viliiiorin  Improved,  grown  at  the  experiment  station  of  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  al  Schuyler,  Nebr.,  in  L893. 
This  station  was  abolished  in  tin-  autumn  of  that  year  by  Secretary 

MortOIl,  and    the    principal    part  of  all    the   high-grade   seeds  on    hand 

was  sold  to  the  Oxnard  Beel  Sugar  Company,  of  G rand  Island.  Nebr. 
A  small  portion  of  each  variety  was  retained,  however,  in  the  hope 
that  at  some  day  the  experiments  might  be  reestablished.     When  sub 
jected  to  a  germination  test,  however,  of  all  the  varieties  which  had 

been  preserved,  only  the  Yilmorin  Improved  showed  nn  impaired  vitality. 

All  the  other  varieties  grown  at  Schuyler  showed  a  vitality  too  low  to 

warrant   planting. 

(2)  Original  Klein  wan/lebmier,  grown  by  Kiihn\  ( Jo,,  Naarden,  near 

Amsterdam,    Holland.    These   seeds   were    from    specially  analyzed 
mothers,  showing  the  very  highest  qualities  for  seed  production. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  143 

(3)  High-grade  commercial  seed,  grown  by  F.  Demesmay,  Cysoing, 
France.  These  seeds  were  not  grown  from  specially  analyzed  mothers, 
but  represented  the  high-grade  commercial  seeds  produced  at  that 
place. 

These  three  varieties  were  furnished  for  planting  in  Section  B. 
There  were  also  sent  at  the  same  time  some  of  the  high  grade  commer- 
cial Kleinwanzlebener  and  Vilmorin's  La  Plus  liiche  for  planting  sec- 
tions OCCC  and  DD,  as  indicated  in  the  diagram.  These  seeds  were 
sent  to  the  various  stations  specified  above  on  the  24th  of  April,  1897. 
The  high-grade  seeds  which  were  to  be  used  in  planting  Section  A 
had  not  yet  been  received,  and  were  not  forwarded  at  that  time. 

The  seeds  ordered  from  Europe  did  not  arrive  until  May  15,  and  were 
sent  at  once  to  the  several  stations  on  that  day.  In  addition,  seeds 
were  received  from  August  Rolker  &  Sons, representing  Dippe  Brothers, 
at  Xew  York,  and  from  Martin  GrashofT,  of  Quedlinburg.  These  seeds 
were  also  sent  for  planting  the  margins  of  the  plot  indicated  above. 

In  the  general  instructions  given  to  the  directors  of  the  stations  it 
will  be  noticed  that  all  the  details  of  the  work  were  lett  to  be  decided 
by  them  at  the  proper  time,  as  any  directions  for  time  of  planting, 
etc.,  would  be  but  futile.  Each  one  of  the  directors  undertook  to  do  the 
work  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  provided  in  so  far 
as  the  preparation  of  the  land,  planting,  cultivation,  and  harvesting  of 
the  samples  were  concerned.  The  Chemist  of  the  Department  visited 
three  of  the  stations  during  the  season  and  conferred  personally  with 
the  directors  in  regard  to  the  progress  of  their  work.  The  other  direc- 
tors were  communicated  with  only  by  letter. 

In  the  analytical  work  samples  were  selected  according  to  instruc- 
tions and  sent  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  others  were  ana- 
lyzed in  the  laboratories  of  the  collaborating  experiment  stations. 

On  May  G,  the  high-grade  seeds  not  yet  having  arrived  from  Europe, 
I  sent  to  each  of  the  stations  for  planting  Section  A  some  high-grade 
seeds  grown  by  Martin  Grashoff,  of  Quedlinburg,  obtained  from  Mr. 
Jellinek,  an  agent  of  the  grower  in  this  country.  I  suggested  that 
Section  A  be  planted  with  this  seed,  and  then  if  the  other  seed  expected 
from  Germany  came  in  time  the  plants  could  be  dug  out  and  the  section 
replanted.  The  name  of  the  seeds  sent  for  planting  Section  A  was 
White  Improved  Imperial  Elite,  which  were  produced  by  a  cross  of 
another  variety  with  the  Kleinwanzlebener.  Directions  for  planting 
the  seeds  according  to  the  plot  were  furnished  each  director. 

The  additional  quantity  of  high-grade  sugar-beet  seed  ordered  from 
Dippe  Brothers,  Quedlinburg,  Germany,  was  received  and  distributed 
to  the  stations  on  the  17th  of  May.  In  most  cases  the  beets  in  Section 
A  which  were  previously  planted  were  not  dug  out,  but  the  new  seeds 
were  planted  in  other  localities. 

The  conditions  of  growth  varied  greatly  in  the  different  localities 
during  the  season.  At  the  New  York  station  the  spring  was  backward 
and  cold,  and  the  planting  and  first  development  of  the  beets  were 


144  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

delayed.  The  subsequent  conditions  were  favorable  to  good  growth. 
The  beets  received  no  backset,  and  readied  a  fair  maturity  by  the  1st 
of  October.  The  autumn  was  mild  and  cool,  and  dry  enough  to  pre- 
vent second  growth,  so  that  the  beets  could  be  left  in  the  ground  with 
perfect  security  until  late  in  November. 

At  the  Indiana  station  less  favorable  conditions  obtained.  A  poor 
stand  of  the  beets  was  secured  in  many  instances  where  a  perfect 
stand  was  secured  at  the  New  York  station.  The  early  leaves  were 
badly  eaten  by  an  insect,  and  this  prevented  the  early  rapid  develop- 
ment of  the  plant.  Subsequently  a  period  of  extreme  drought  set  in, 
lasting  for  nearly  two  months — during  July  and  August.  The  result 
of  all  these  unfavorable  conditions  was  practically  a  complete  failure  of 
the  crop,  so  that  even  in  the  case  of  the  beets  which  were  secured  there 
were  evidences  of  arrested  development.  The  general  result  of  the 
experiment  was  exceedingly  discouraging. 

At  the  Wisconsin  station  the  field  which  was  selected  for  the  growth 
of  the  beets  was  not  particularly  well  suited  to  the  purpose.  It  bad  not 
been  under  previous  cultivation  for  many  years,  and  a  portion  of  it,  as 
is  seen  in  the  report  of  the  director,  suffered  severely  from  various 
causes.  The  special  plots  which  were  cultivated  in  the  high-grade 
seeds  gave  fairly  good  results,  as  will  be  seen  farther  on,  and  the  beets 
produced  were  of  good  size,  fair  shape,  and  line  quality. 

At  the  Iowa  station  fairly  good  seasonal  conditions  prevailed,  and 
the  character  of  the  beets  produced  on  the  specially  prepared  plots  was 
satisfactory. 

At  the  Kentucky  station  the  beets  obtained  a  good  start,  and  grew 
well  for  the  greater  part  of  the  season.  They  were  slightly  retarded  by 
dry  weather  at  one  period  of  their  growth,  but  on  the  whole  reached  a 
fair  stage  of  maturity  without  untoward  accidents.  The  beets  which 
were  harvested  in  September  and  October  showed  a  higher  content  of 
sugar  than  those  that  were  left  later  in  the  ground,  and  this  is  probably 
due  to  the  second  growth,  which  was  produced  by  the  warm  climate  of 
thai  locality.  The  sugar  content  was  exceedingly  low,  and  the  dala 
Secured  from  the  station  show  conclusively  that  Kentucky  is  not  in  the 
list  of  possibilities  as  a  sugar  producing  State  in  so  far  as  beets  are 
concerned. 

The  data  from  Tennessee  are  extremely  meager,  and  no  definite  con- 
clusions can  be  drawn  from  those  at  hand. 

In  the  study  of  the  data  received,  it  will  be  convenient  to  begin 
with  the  most  southern  station,  namely,  Tennessee,  and  then  continue 
with  the  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  and  New  York  stations 
in  tin-  oider  named. 

I'l  S'NESSl  B. 

The  results  obtained  at  the  Tennessee  station  were  extremely  unsatis- 
factory.  On  account  of  the  poor  quality  of  the  beets,  only  one  sample 
whs  Kent  for  analysis,  which  was  harvested  on  the  25th  of  September. 
These  beets  w  ere  so  small  as  to  bardlj  deserve  t  he  name,  and  no  attempt 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


145 


was  made  to  determine  the  purity  of  the  juice.  It  is  evident,  from  an 
inspection  of  the  table  which  follows,  that  there  was  nothing  in  the 
result  of  the  experiment  to  justify  a  further  examination  of  the  beets 
produced. 

The  cause  of  failure  in  Tennessee  has  been  reported  by  the  secretary 
of  the  station  in  the  letter  given  below,  and  therefore  no  further  expla- 
nation need  be  made  here  of  the  failure  to  attain  even  fairly  satisfactory 

results. 

The  Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

of  the  University  of  Tennessee, 

Enoxville,  February  15,  1897. 
Dear  Sir:  A  reference  to  plat  sent  you  May  26,  1897,  will  explain  the  following: 
Sugar  beets  grown  from  seed  sown  May  19,  20,  1897,  were  lifted  when  properly 
ripe,  tops  removed  and  put  into  separate  piles  on  the  ground  close  by,  and  covered 
with  earth.  In  this  condition  the  various  lots  remained  until  taken  up  to  be 
weighed  on  13th  of  this  month.  Roots  found  in  good  order,  and  are  now  being  fee1 
to  our  cows.     The  weights  of  the  several  lots  were  as  follows : 


Plat. 

Variety  and  from  whence  received. 

Area. 

Weight. 

Vilmorin's  Improved  "White,  from  P.  Henderson  &  Co., 
New  York. 

Kleinwanzlebener  Elite,  Dippe  Brothers,  from  Depart- 
ment. 

Sq.ft. 

880 

589 

1,568 

1,642 

448 

64 

96 

288 

224 

Pounds. 
175 

54 

280 

High  grade  Kleinwanzlebener.  from  Department 

Memte  Ober  Wurst,  Quedlinburg,  Dippe  Brothers,  from 

Department. 
Original  Kleinwauzelebener  (Holland),  from  Department 
Vilmorin's  Improved  (Schuyler,  Nebr.),  from  Department. 

369 

64  5 

Subdivision  B  (2ro,ws). 
Subdivision  B  (3  rows) . 

16.5 

12 

56 

Subdivision  E  (trian- 
gle). 

White  Improved  Imperial  Elite  (Grashoff),  from  De- 
partment. 

124.5 

5,796 

1,115.5 

8,715  pounds  per  acre. 

A  miserably  poor  yield. — Soil  prepared  in  best  manner;  germination  good;  when 
first  leaves  were  formed  an  excellent  stand.  A  few  days  after  an  incursion  of  flea 
beetles  destroyed  almost  every  plant  in  an  irregular  strip  across  the  whole  plat;  this 
was  done  between  the  hours  of  11  a.  m.  and  3  p.  in.,  in  one  day.  Cultivation  was 
well  and  thoroughly  done,  but  the  planting  was  much  too  late.  A  plat  of  Vilmorin's 
Improved  White  grown  near  the  farm  building,  the  seed  for  which  was  planted  April 
1,  gave  us  a  very  heavy  yield.  These  were  planted  for  table  use  and  for  stock  feed- 
ing, and  were  purposely  grown  to  make  feed  stuff,  not  for  sugar. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Chas.  F.  Vanderford, 

Secretary. 
Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chief  Division  of  Chemistry,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

The  details  of  the  analytical  data  are  found  in  the  accompanying 
table  of  data. 

Kentucky. 

Special  care  was  taken  by  the  director  of  the  station  at  Lexington  to 
secure  satisfactory  results.    During  the  early  part  of  the  season  the 
beets  grew  exceptionally  well  and  presented  a  fine  appearance.    The 
H.  Doc.  396 10 


146  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATER. 

quantity  produced  was  fairly  good,  although  the  beets  were  some- 
what irregular  in  size,  some  of  them  being  quite  large  and  others 
quite  small.  The  sugar  content  of  the  beets  and  the  purity  of  the  juice 
were  both  extremely  low.  The  first  series  of  samples  was  analyzed  on 
the  28*h  of  September,  and  a  second  set  of  samples  from  two  of  the 
varieties  was  analyzed  at  a  later  date.  The  original  Kleinwanzlebener 
(Holland)  seed  was  represented  by  thirty-seven  beets  in  this  second 
sample,  the  average  size  of  which  was  small  and  the  sugar  content 
medium.  The  White  Improved  Imperial  Elite  was  represented  iu 
the  second  sample  by  forty-eight  beets,  also  extremely  small,  and 
with  a  low  content  of  sugar.  The  final  harvest  of  the  beets  resulted 
in  securing  three  barrels  of  beets  of  fine  size  and  shape,  but  when  these 
beets  were  perforated  for  analysis  it  was  found  that  the  content  of 
sugar  was  low,  falling,  in  some  cases,  as  low  as  2  per  cent.  The 
sugar  content  in  general  was  so  small  that  it  was  not  deemed  worth 
while  to  report  it,  as  the  beets  were  utterly  worthless  for  seed  pro- 
duction. The  depressing  influence  of  climate  on  the  character  of  the 
beets  is  illustrated  in  a  most  striking  manner  by  a  comparison  of  the 
results  obtained  from  beets  grown  in  Kentucky  and  in  Geneva,  X.  Y., 
from  the  same  seeds,  and  under  as  uearly  as  possible  identical  conditions 
of  culture. 

Indiana. 

The  unfortunate  seasonal  conditions  which  obtained  at  the  experi- 
ment station  at  Lafayette  have  already  been  mentioned.  The  result  of 
the  prolonged  drought  during  the  growing  season  was  a  diminution 
of  the  weight  of  the  beets  to  such  an  extent  that  for  practical  purposes 
they  were  useless.  For  this  reason  the  data  obtained  are  of  little 
value.  On  account  of  the  inferior  character  of  the  beets,  no  attempt 
was  made  to  select  any  of  them  for  mothers  for  the  subsequent  produc- 
tion of  seed.  The  analytical  data  connected  with  the  special  plot  work 
in  Indiana  are  found  in  the  tables  following. 

[OWA. 

Only  one  set  of  samples  ..as  received  from  the  plots  grown  in  Iowa, 
the  sample  of  the  Demesmay  having  been  harvested  on  the  -5th  of 
September  and  all   the  other  samples  On   the    l.'lthol'  November.     The 

average  size  of  the  beets  received  was  small,  the  percentage  of  sugar 

only    lair,   ami    the    purity    QOl    up    to    the    minimum    standard.     The 

seasonal  influences  at  Ames  were  therefore  evidently  inferior  in  sugar 
producing  qualities  to  those  which  obtained  in  New  Fork.    The  final 

harvest  Of  beets  was  not  forwarded  to  the  Department  lor  the  purpose 

of  selecting  mothers  by  reason  of  a  misunderstanding  whereby  the 
different  varieties  were  mixed   in  such  a  way  that  the  separation  of 

them  was  impract  icahle.      A  general  Statement  in  regard  to  the  Special 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  147 

plot  work  done  at  Ames  is  contained   in  the  following  letter  from 
Director  Curtiss: 

Ames.  Iowa.  January  25,  1898. 
Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  inquiry  concerning  the  test  of  high  grade  sugar-beet 
seed  furnished  by  your  Department,  will  say  that  we  have  forwarded  you  two  sam- 
ples of  the  Vilmorin's  Elite  from  the  plats  grown  according  to  your  instructions,  and 
have  lately  had  your  report  of  the  last  sample.  The  beets  from  these  plats  were 
analyzed  by  Dr.  Weeins.  of  oar  chemistry  section,  with  the  following  results: 

V«**  S^ar-     cedent 


Per  cent. 

Vilmorin's  £lite 16. 07  84. 30 

Demesmay 14.30  78.38 

Improved' Imperial  Elite 13.  31  76.  14 

Kleinwanzlebener 16.91  90.76 


These  samples  and  the  one  forwarded  to  you  gave  substantially  the  same  results 
and  svere  harvested  November  11.  The  first  sample  sent  you  was  taken  earlier  and 
was  probably  immature.  The  past  season  was  quite  backward  here,  and  the  beet 
crop  correspondingly  late  in  maturing.  Owing  to  a  change  in  our  field-experiment 
department  during  the  past  year,  the  beets  from  these  plats  were,  through  a  misun- 
derstanding, thrown  together  instead  of  being  kept  separate  after  the  analyses 
were  made,  and  we  will  not  be  able  to  distinguish  between  varieties  in  testing  these 
beets  and  carrying  on  future  work  along  this  line.  We  very  much  regret  that 
this  mistake  has  occurred,  as  we  would  like  to  continue  the  work  of  developing 
high-grade  beets  for  seed  production.  We  will  be  glad  to  cooperate  with  you  again 
during  the  coming  season  if  you  can  furui»h  us  more  seed. 
Very  truly,  yours, 

C.  F.  Curtiss. 

Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

The  analytical  data  derived  from  the  analyses  of  beets  sent  from  tlie 
Iowa  station  to  this  laboratory  are  of  little  value.  Only  one  set  of  sam- 
ples was  received,  namely,  of  the  Demesmay  variety,  harvested  on  the 
25th  of  September,  and  of  the  three  varieties  harvested  on  the  13th 
of  November.  With  the  exception  of  the  Vilmorin  Elite,  which  was 
received  on  the  22d  of  >ovember,  the  analytical  data  are  not  satisfac- 
tory. In  the  case  of  the  variety  just  mentioned  the  sugar  content  and 
the  purity  were  satisfactory,  but  the  beets  were  very  much  under  size. 
It  is  evident  that  the  data  obtained  in  the  past  season  do  not  fairly 
represent  the  capabilities  of  Iowa,  either  for  the  production  of  good 
commercial  beets  or  for  the  growth  of  beets  for  seed-producing  pur- 
poses. The  analytical  data  obtained  on  analysis  of  the  samples  received 
at  the  Department  are  found  in  the  table  given  farther  on. 

Wisconsin. 

Complete  details  of  experiments  with  high-grade  beet  seeds,  grown 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  are  found  in  the 


148  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Wisconsin  report,  contained  in  Bulletin  Xo.  64  of  that  station.     These 
details  are  bo  valuable  as  to  warrant  their  reproduction  in  full: 

EXPERIMENTS    WITH   HIGH-GRADE    SUGAR-BEET   SEED. 

These  experiments  were,  as  already  stand,  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the 
United  states  Department  of  Agriculture.  In  a  letter  received  in  the  early  part  of 
April  last,  the  chief  chemist  of  the  Department.  Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley,  requested  this 
Btation  to  cooperate  with  the  Department  in  growing  a  number  of  varieties  of  beets 
from  high-grade  Beed  furnished  by  them,  giving  the  beets  tin-  best  of  conditions  in 
respect  to  Btibsoiling,  preparation  of  the  seed  bed,  and  cultivation.  Some  of  the 
it  were  produced  by  the  highest  possible  scientific  culture  from 
specially  analyzed  beets,  which  were  stated  to  average  19  per  cent  of  sugar.  Accord- 
ing to  the  directions  received,  the  Government  plat  was  surrounded  on  all  side*;  by 
our  regular  beet  6eld  and  was  located  in  the  southeastern  quarter  of  our  main  field. 
The  different  kinds  of  seed  received  and  planted  by  hand  on  May  22  were  as  follows: 

Plai  J. — Dippe  brothers,  Vilmorin  Elite  R  I,  from  Dippe  Brothers,  Quedliuburg, 
Germany. 

Plat  />'.—  1.  Original  Kleinwanzlebener,  grown  by  Kiihn,  Xaarden,  Holland.  2. 
Vilmorin  Improved,  grown  at  United  States  Sugar  Beet  Station  at  Schuyler,  Nebr. 
:;.   Demesmay  sugar-beet  Beed,  grown  by  F.  Deinesmay,  (Jysoing  (Nord),  France. 

Plat  C. — High-grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebener. 

Plat  I>. — High-grade  Commercial  Vilmorin's  Improved  "La  Plus  kiche." 

White  Improved  Imperial  £lite,  grown  by  Martin  Grashon?,  Qnedlinburg,  Germany. 

Dippe  Brothers,  Kleinwanzlebener  Elite  W  I,  from  Dippe  Bros.,  Qnedlinburg, 
Germany. 

The  plats  were  arranged,  as  sd  by  Dr.  Wiley,  in  the  following  manner: 

Flats  A  and  B,  each  21  by  24  feet,  were  placed  in  the  middle  and  were  surrounded 
by  a  border,  CC,  67  feet  long  and  i'.-  feet  wide;  the  plats  D1  and  D-  were  placed  at 
tin-  east  and  west  end-  <>f  the  ('  plat,  being  21  by  10  feet.  South  and  north  of  the 
whole  plat  three  rows  were  run  110  feet  long,  in  which  were  planted  the  varieties 
given  in  the  preceding  statement.  White  Imperial  being  planted  in  the  south  three 
and  Kleinwanzlebener  Elite  in  the  north  three  rows.  The  rows  were  18  inches 
apart.  The  effort  was  to  have  one  good  vigorous  beet  plant  at  about  <\  cry  '.'  inches 
in  the  row  after  thinning. 

The  germinations  of  the  seed  planted  in  this  experiment,  as  well  as  of  that  planted 
in  our  other  trials,  were  determined  by  Professor  (-oft.  ami  are  given  on  p;ige>  300- 
301  of  our  Fourteenth  Annual  Report.     It  will  lie  Been  that  the  germinative  power 

of  the  different    kinds    of  seed    was    \  er\    good,  with   the   possible   exception   of  the 

Schuyler,    Nebr.,   seed,  which   was  old,   and   the    Dippe  Brothers'  Vilmorin   Slits 
Beed.    The  average  germination  of  the  seed  was  lt>7  percent,  ranging  from  115 to 
231    per  cent,  the   Latter  result   being  obtained  with  the  White   Improved   Imperial 
filite. 
Tin-  fust  samples  of  the  beets  raised  on  the  Government  plat  were  taken  Septem- 

1 :  another  sample  was  taken  September  27,  and  after  thai  time  e\  ery  fourteen 
days  until  the  beets  were  harvested,  on  Novein  i  >er  5.     In  sampling  the  beets  four 

weredngoi  each  kind.     Twoof  these  were  forwarded  to  Washington,  D  C,  to 

the    Department    of  Agriculture,  and   the  ot  her  two  retained  for  analysis  in  our  own 

Laboratory . 

I  he  results  of  the  analyses  made  by  the  writer  are  given  in  the  following  table. 

nples  were  taken  south  of  the  A  and  B  plats  and  the  C  iamples  north  of 

these  plats.     In  the  same  manner  the  i»  and  D  samples  were  taken  from  the  plats 

...    Ol     t  lie   relit  lal    plats. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Main  field,  Government  plat. 


149 


Date  of 
sam- 
pling. 

Per  cent 
root  of 
whole 
plant. 

Weight 
of  beets. 

Analysis  of  juice. 

Variety. 

Specific 

gravity. 

Sugar. 

Purity 
coefficient 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.     5 

70 
70 
78 
80 

Pounds. 
0.21 
.40 
.40 
.58 
.83 

1. 0755 
1. 0934 
1. 0834 
1. 0858 
1.  0740 

Per  cent. 
14.44 
17.92 
17.04 
16.  35 
14.35 

79.1 

80.5 
85.0 
79.4 
80.1 

.48 

16.02 

80.8 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.    5 

Yilmorin  La  Plus  Riche,  Dx 

73 
73 
72 

82 

.34 
.80 
.98 
.95 
1.20 

1. 0882 
1. 0923 
1. 0895 
1. 0860 
1. 0^82 

16.96 
17.58 
17.93 
16.40 
16.53 

80.4 
79.9 
83  8 
79.5 
78.3 

.85 

.37 
55 
.50 
.50 
1.13 

17.08 

80.4 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.     5 



1.  0825 
1.  0898 
1. 0870 
1.0810 
1.0845 

High-grade  Kleinwanzlebener,  C^ 

73 
70 
59 

78 

16.45 
17.21 
16.15 
14.35 
16.90 

83.0 
80.0 
77.5 
73.6 
83.5 

.«61 

16.  21 

79.5 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.     5 

70 
76 
80 
91 

1.0725 
1.0810 
1. 0848 
1. 0857 
1. 0800 

Vilmorin  Improved.  Nebr.,  B 

.75 

.45 

1.13 

.75 

.71 

15.06 
16.70 
17.01 
15.86 
15.71 

85.7 

85.7 
83.6 
77.2 
81.5 

.76 

16.07 

82.7 

Sept.  20 
Sept,  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.     5 

'~~68~ 
67 
73 
73 

Original  Kleinwanzlebener,  Holland,  B  . 

.45 
.20 
.40 
.30 
.35 

1.  0860 
1. 0946 
I. 0935 
1. 0P80 
1. 0920 

16.63 
18.57 
17.95 
17.34 
18.65 

80.7 
82.4 
80.6 
74.5 
81.8 

.37 

17.83 

80.0 

Sept.  20 
Sept  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.    5 

64 
68 
71 
71 

.70 
.90 
.93 
.50 
.95 

1.0695 
1. 08H6 
1.0917 
1. 1070 
1.0812 

14.57 
17.11 
18.17 
21.45 
16.42 

86.3 

85.2 
83.0 
85.2 
84.0 

.80 

17.54 

84.7 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.     5 

67 
72 
73 

78 

1.03 
1.15 
1.23 
1.35 

1.0735 
1. 0800 
1.  0868 
1.0917 

16.  13 
16.90 
17.56 
18.88 

90.6 

83.0 
84.4 
86.3 

1.19 

17.  37 

86.  1 

Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    25 
Nov.    5 

High-grade  Kleinwanzlebener,  C2 

72 
65 
75 
82 

1.05 
.70 
.70 

1.30 

1. 0850 
1. 0842 
1.0885 
1. 0940 

17.94 

16.  70 

17.  57 
19.  18 

87.9 
82.6 
83.0 
85.7 

.94 

17.85 

84.8 

Sept.  20 

Sept.  27 

Oct.    11 
Oct    25 

Nov.     5 

76 
81 
78 
89 

.80 

.93 

1.10 

.93 

1.0655 
1.0695 
1.0678 
1.0798 

1. 0690 

13.49 
L2.85 
15.  CJ."> 
13.66 

82.8 

79.8 
77.9 
83.0 
81.4 

.92 

13.84 

81.0 

Sept.  20 

Sept.  27 

Oct.     11 
Oct    25 

Nov.     6 

Dippe  Vilmorin,  A 

63 

73 
73 

82 

.62 

1.00 

1.10 
1.03 

.75 

1.0790 
1.0852 
1.0895 
1.0920 

16.05 
16.86 
17.49 
18.34 
Hi.  91 

84.3 
82.  5 
81.7 
83.6 
85  1 

.90 

17.13 

83.4 

150 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


We  notice  that  the  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice  but  rarely  came  over  18  in  case  ot 
the  different  varieties,  the  average  figures  ranging  from  13.84  per  cent  'Demesinay) 
to  17.85  per  cent  (High-grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebener,  C«) ;  the  purity  of  the 
beet  juice  was  good,  viz,  lowest  79.5  (High-grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebener, 
C),  highest  86.1  (Vilmorin  La  Plus  Riche,  D:). 

The  average  results  of  the  analyses  of  these  beets  obtained  by  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  and  in  this  laboratory  are  ghren  below : 


Determinations  made  by — 

Number  of 
analyses. 

Polariscope 
method. 

Ale.  ex- 
traction 
method. 

Purity  co- 
efficient. 

38  (31*) 
38  (31*) 

16.27 
16.09 

84.7 

15.13 

82.0 

*  Number  of  determinations  of  purity  of  juice. 

While  the  agreement  is  as  good  a  \  could  be  expected  between  the  results  obtained  by 
the  polariscope  method,  the  purity  coefficient  differs  rather  more  than  allowable  in 
duplicate  samples.  The  two  sets  of  analyses  differ  in  this  way,  that  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  samples  were  always  analyzed  at  least  several  days  after  our  analyses 
were  made,  since  the  latter  were  always  finished  within  twenty-four  hours  from  the 
time  of  sampling.  In  single  instances,  variations  occurred  between  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  and  our  analyses  of  3  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  juice  and  of  over  7  per 
cent  purity,  owing  to  differences  in  the  stage  of  maturity  of  the  beets  analyzed;  it 
is  evident  that  no  absolutely  correct  idea  of  the  sugar  content  of  the  beets  in  a  cer- 
tain plat  or  field  can  be  obtained  by  pulling  and  analyzing  two  single  beet  roots, 
even  if  these  do  appear  to  be  at  about  average  stage  of  maturity. 

The  yield  of  beets  from  the  plat,  obtained  at  harvesting,  November  5,  and  the 
calculated  yield  of  beets  and  of  sugar  per  acre,  are  shown  in  the  following  table: 

Yield  of  beets  and  of  sugar,  Government  plat. 


Name  of  variety. 


Imperial  Klito 

Vilmorin  La  Plua  Riche 

II igh-grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebener 
Dippe  Brothers  Kleinwanzlebener  Elite  ... 

Dippe  Brothers  Vilmorin  Elite 

Demesmay    

Vilmorin.  Schuyler,  Nebr 

Original  Kleinwanzlebener,  Holland 


kges,  etc >i,  '• 


Yield  of  beets. 

Average 

w  eight 

Of  beets. 

Sugar  in 

Sngar 

From 
plat. 

Per  acre, 

the  beet. 

per  acre. 

I'll  a  nits. 

] 'mi  nils. 

]'l)lllllls. 

/'<■;•  cut. 

Pounds. 

272.  8 

•J  I, -Jill 

0.45 

13.63 

3,  300 

1,  167.3 

28,  290 

.64 

15.70 

4,441 

1,170.0 

80,  660 

.  56 

16.05 

4,  920 

811.7 

34,880 

.  66 

i: 

4,'.  »'.»."> 

:t:i6.  o 

29,  (i!ti) 

.:.- 

16.06 

4.(572 

234.  4 

81,520 

.61 

L2.98 

4.  092 

76.7 

80,  940 

.59 

14.92 

4,616 

26.0 

15,  730 

.27 

17.72 

:j,  605.  0 

2H,  10U 

15.04 

4,  228 

The  average  yield  of  beeti  per  acre  obtained  was  over  il  tone,  or  aboul  5  tons  more 
than  the  yield  obtained  from  either  half  of  the  main  Beld.  The  average  calculated 
yield  of  sngar  per  acre  was  1,228  pounds,  the  lowest  yield  being  obtained  In  case  of 
Original  Kleinwanzlebener,  Holland  (2,788  pounds),  which  variety  plainly  sintered 
mosl  from  the  drought,  and  the  highest  in  ease  of  1  >i |>]"' s  Kleinwanzlebener  Klito 
( 1,995  pounds). 

ANALYSES  HADE  AT  THE  LABORATORY  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF 

AGRICULTURE. 


Samples  of  beets  from  the  high-grade  plots  were  sent  from  time  to 
time  to  the  laboratory  <>f  1 1 1  *  *  Department  of  Agriculture  for  analysis, 
and  finally  all  the  remaining  beets  of  proper  size  were  forwarded  for 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


151 


examination.  The  following  table  contains  the  analyses  of  the  samples 
received  from  the  various  stations  of  the  three  separate  harvests  of 
beets,  ranging  from  the  last  of  September  to  the  last  of  October, 
together  with  the  analyses  of  all  the  samples  of  the  high-grade  beets 
harvested  in  the  middle  of  ^November : 

Table  showing  analyses  of  beets  of  high  grade  from  experiment  stations  of  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Wisconsin ,  and  New  York. 

KNOX  COUNTY,  TENN. 

[Experiment  Station,  Knoxville.] 


Variety. 


White  Improved  Imperial 
Elite 

Kleinwanzlebener  Elite  .. 

Original  Kleinwanzleben- 
er (Dippe  Brothers)  

Original  Kleinwanzleben- 
er (Holland) 

High  grade  Kleinwanz- 
lebener   

Vilmorin's  "La  Plus 
Riche'' 

Vilmorin's  Improved 

Demesmay 


Time  of 
planting. 


1897. 

May   24 
do  ... 


May  18 
...do  ... 
...do  ... 


.do 
.do 

.do 


Tinw  of 
harvest- 


Date 
received. 


1897. 

Sept.  25 
...do  ... 


..do 

...do 

...do 

...do 
...do 
...do 


1897. 

Sept.  27 
...do  ... 


.do... 
.do... 
.do.. 

.do... 

.do  ... 
.do... 


Num- 
ber of 
beets. 


Average 
weight. 


Ounces. 

4 

7 

3 
1 


Sugar 
in  the 
beets. 


Per  ct. 

11.5 

10.7 

12.5 

12.5 

12.0 

10.6 
13.2 
13.5 


FAYETTE  COUNTY,  KY. 
[Experiment  Station,  Lexington.] 


285 

1897. 
Original  Kleinwanzleben- 
er (Holland) 

1897. 

Sept.  27 
Oct.    14 

Sept.  27 

1897. 

Sept.  29 
Oct.    18 

Sept.  29 

"'in' 

21 
7 

19 

18 

17 

7 

13.3 
15.8 

10.9 
9.5 

10.9 
11.1 

72.5 

834  870 

do 

286 

Vilmorin's     Improved  | 

68.5 

287 

65.0 

293 

White    Improved    Impe-  1 

....do  .. 

....do  ... 

68. 1 

785-832 

do 

Oct.    14 

48 

TIPPECANOE  COUNTY,  IND. 
[Experiment  Station,  Lafayette.] 


1897. 


May     5 

do  . 

...do  . 


Original  Kleinwanzleben- 
er (Holland) 

....do  

...do  

Kleinwanzlebener  Elite 
(Dippe  Brothers) 

do*. 

....do  

Demesmay  

do 

....do 

Vilmorin's  1  rapro  \  ed 

Elite  (Dippe  Brothers)..    May    1 

do do 

do do  . 

Vilmorin's  Improved 
(Schuyler,  Nebr.) May 

do do  . 

Vilmorin's  Improved do  . 


May  19 

...do 

...do 

.May 

...do 

...do 


1897. 

Sept.  24 
Oct.  8 
Nov.  22 

Sept.  24 
Oct.  8 
Nov.  22 
Sept.  24 
Oct.  8 
Nov.  22 

Sept.  24 
Oct.  8 
Nov.  22 

Sept.  24 

Nov.  22 
Oct.      8 


1897. 

Sept.  27 
Oct.  10 
Nov.  24 

Sept.  26 
Oct.  10 
Nov.  24 
Sept.  26 
Oct.  10 
Nov.  24 

Sept.  26 
Oct.  10 
Nov.  24 

Sept.  26 
Nov.  24 
Oct.    10 


16.5 

14.3 
19.1 

14.4 
14.7 

18.:» 
12.6 
12.  5 
14.3 


13.9 
14.6 
16.5 

14.5 
15.  4 
16.1 


152 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Table  showing  analyses  of  beets  of  high  grade  from  experiment  stations  of  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Indiana,  loica,  Wisconsin,  and  New  York — Continued. 

STORT  COUNTY,  IOWA. 
[Experiment  Station,  Ames.] 


Serial 
No. 

Variety. 

Time  of 
planting. 

Time  of 
harvest- 
ing. 

Date 
received. 

Num- 
ber of 

beets. 

Average 

weight. 

Sugar 
in  the 

beets. 

Purity 
coeffi- 

eient. 

249 
2078 

2088 

•nay 

Whit.-  Improved  Imperial 

Elite 

Vilmorin'fl  Improved 

Yilinorin's  Elite 

Original    Kleinwanzlebe- 

ner 

1897. 
May  29 

....do  ... 
do  ... 

1897. 
Sept.  25 

Nov.  13 
....do  ... 

1897. 
Sept.  28 

Nov.  22 
....do  . 

3 

2 
2 
2 

o 

Oune*  8. 

ll 

13 
19 
12 

20 

Per  ct. 
13.9 

16.7 
13.0 
17.3 

12.8 

79.1 
72  a 

''O'J'.t 

...do  .. 

...do  . 

...  do    . 

82  6 

2100 

do  ... 

....do  ... 

do  ... 

72  4 

DANE  COUNTY,  WIS. 

[Experiment  Station,  Madison.] 


217 

Dippe'a  Kleinwanzlebener 

1897. 
May  22 

....do  ... 

1897. 

1897. 
Sept.   29 

Oct    12 

Oct.    27 
Nov.  17 

2 
3 
2 
12 

10 
11 
9 
16 

15.0 
18.5 
19.5 
15.3 

80.5 

882 

87  3 

1 165 

do 

...do  .. 

1912 

.     do 

....do  ... 

Nov.     3 

83.1 

14 

15.9 

15.4 
18.9 
18.9 
18.7 

83  3 

Original  Xleinwanzleben- 

May   22 

Sept.  29 
Oct    12 

Oct.    27 
Nov.   17 

2 
2 
2 
11 

222 

5 
8 

7 
6 

881 

87  a 

146'.) 

...  .do  

do                   

...do  .. 

1913 

....do... 

Nov.     2 

6 

18.4 

82  o 

Kleinwanzlebener 

..  do         

Ma\    22 

Sept  29 

Oct,     12 
Oct.     27 
Sept.  29 

Oct.    12 
<><  t.    29 

295 

2 
2 
2 

a 

2 

a 

188 

13 

9 
13 
9 
6 
6 
15 

14.6 
16.3 
17.;; 
L3.8 
15.5 
18.  5 
17.3 

85  0 

-77 

82  a 

1468 

..    do 

....do  ... 

M.   1 

226 

do 

...do 

B6  a 

878 

do 

do  . 

....do  ... 

86.2 

14<54 

do  . 

1918 

do 

....do  ... 

Nov.     3 

Nov.  17 

85.  1 

14.7 

17.2 

85.  1 

White  Improved  Imperial 

Elite 

May   22 

Sept.  29 
Oct    12 

Oct    :'7 

Nov.    17 

218 

- 

2 

a 

12 

9 

8 
5 
18 

14.0 
17    1 

is  b 

15.4 

88  0 

do 

]  16  1 

do 

...do  ... 

J!M  1 

..  do  ... 

...     dc 

Nov.     8 

12.  4 

15.5 

- 

Dippe'i  Yilmoiin  Elite  — 

Mav    22 

....do  ... 

Sept  29 
Oct    12 

Oct    27 

Nov.    17 

219 

a 

a 

2 
11.', 

14 
lo 
18 

14 

14.8 

L8.5 

17.7 



.-:  •_■ 

1 166 

do  .. 

....do  ... 

88  D 

1917 

do 

.  do 

Nov.  a 

86  7 

14.0 

17.7 

86.7 

v  llmorin'a     I  m  p  r  <>  v  ed 

SeliUN  lor,  need 

....  do                 

Mav    32 

Sept.  29 

Oct    L2 
Oct    27 

Not.  it 

221 

a 

2 

24 

Lfl 
IS 

12 
12 

16.8 

la  a 

15.8 

146] 

....do  .. 

82.  1 

1916 

do 

do 

Nov.     2 

12.4 

15.6 

82.7 

in  Bearing  the  ayeragi  ■,  mob  analyala  la  rained  In  proportion  to  the  weigh!  of  th<'  aamplo. 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


153 


Table  showing  analyses  of  beets  of  high  grade  from  experiment  stations  of  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Wisconsin,  and  New  York — Continued. 

DANE  COUNTY,  WIS— Continued. 


Serial 
No. 

Variety. 

Time  of 
planting. 

Time  of 
harvest- 
ing. 

Date 
received. 

Num- 
ber of 
beets. 

Average 
weight. 

Sugar 
in  the 
beets. 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

223 

Vilmorin's    "La     Plus 

Riche" 

do 

1897. 
May  22 
do  ... 

1897. 

1897. 
Sept.  29 
Oct.    12 
Oct.    27 
Sept.  29 
Oct.    12 
Oct.    27 
Nov.  17 

2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
236 

Ounces. 
18 
16 
12 
13 
8 
10 
15 

Per  ct. 
14.9 
17.9 
17.6 
14.3 
19.2 
19.0 
17.7 

83.4 

871 

88.2 

1462 

do 

....do  ... 

85.2 

224 

...do 

do  ... 

86.2 

875 

...do 

....do  ... 

1467 

do  ...           

do  ... 

:::::::::: 

Nov.     3 

85.4 

1915 

do 

....do  ... 

86.7 

15 

17.7 

86.8 

Mav  22 
....do... 

Sept.  29 
Oct.    12 
Nov.  17 

220 

2 

2 

91 

12 
12 
13 

13.4 
15.0 
13  6 

84.8 

1470 

do 

83.5 

1914 

do 

....do  ... 

Nov.     2 

81.0 

13 

13.6 

81.1 

ONTARIO  COUNTY,  N.  Y. 
[Experiment  station,  Geneva.] 


227 
1409 

White  Improved  Imperial 

Elite 

do 

do 

1897. 
....do  ... 

1897. 

Sept.  27 

Oct.    14 

/Oct.    29 

I  Oct.    30 

1897. 

Sept.  28 

Oct.    15 

1 

4 
4 

174 

14 
16 

18 

12.6 
14.8 

15.3 

80.6 
82.0 

/"-;--- 

18 

20 
17 
16 
16 

20 

15.2 

15.  1 
15.6 
16.8 
16.6 

18.3 

81  3 

228 

Vilmorin's     "La    Plus 
Riche" 

May   19 

Sept.  27 

Sept.  28 
....do... 

Oct.     15 
....do... 

4 
4 
4 
4 

207 

85  5 

231 
1403 

1410 

do 

87  2 

do 

do  ... 

Oct.    14 
.    ..do  ... 

84  2 

do 

do  .. 

....  do  

....do  ... 

/Oct,    29 
\Oct.    30 

(*) 

J 

20 

18.1 

85  6 

Vilmorin's       Improved 

(Schuyler,  Nebr.) 

do 

do 

May  15 

do  ... 

do    . 

Sept.  27 

Oct.    14 

/Oct.    29 

\Oct.    30 

Sept.  28 
Oct.    15 

229 
1406 

5 

4 

32 

20 
16 

18 

14.2 
15.2 

15.7 

84.2 
87.8 

(*) 

/ 

18 

15.5 

85  6 

Vilmorin's  Improved 

do 

May  19 
do  ... 

Sept.  27 
Oct.    14 

Sept.  28 
Oct.    15 

234 
1404 

4 
4 

15 
15 

13.6 

14.0 

82.2 
81  4 

15 

14.1 

81  8 

May   19 

Sept.  27 

Oct.     14 

/Oct.     29 

\Oct.    30 

Sept  28 

Oct.    15 

230 

4 
4 

107 

18 
16 

18 

13.3 
12.3 

.15.9 

82.8 
70.  2 

(*> 

1401 

do 

....do  ... 

Averages  t 

J 

is 

15.  7 

SI    1 

Vilmorin's  Improved  Elite 

(Dippe  Brothers) 

do    

Mav   19 

Sepl.  27 
Oct.      14 

fOct    20 

\()ct.     30 

Sept.  28 
Oct.    15 

232 
1407 

4 
4 

64 

1!) 
]ti 

19 

15.2 
If,.  T 

IS.  1 

86.0 
84  9 

do 

do  . 

(*) 

Averages  t 

J 

19 

17.9 

85  5 

*  Not  included  in  averaging  the  purity  coefficients. 
Un  figuring  the  averages,  each  analysis  is  valued 
represents. 


proportion  to  the  weight  of  the  sample  it 


154 


Table 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

toning  analyses  of  beets  of  high  grade  from  experiment  stations  of  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Indiana,  Iowa,   H'isconsin,  and  New  York — Continued. 

ONTARIO  COUNTY.  N.  Y— Continued. 


Serial 

Variety. 

Time  of 
planting. 

Time  of 
harvest- 
ing. 

Date 

received. 

Nnm- 
berof 
beets. 

A  verag<< 

weight. 

Sugar 
in  the 
beets 

Purity 
coeffi- 
cient. 

233 
1402 

High-grade     Commercial 

Kli  imvanzlebener 

do      

May    19 

1897. 

Sept.  27 

Oct.     14 

/Oct.    29 

\Oct.    30 

1897. 
Sept.  28 
Oct.    15 

\ 

4 

4 

224 

Ounces. 
20 
15 

18 

Per  ct. 
15.1 
15.2 

17.8 

86.4 
83.2 

.do 

....do  ... 

(*) 

' 

18 

17.7 

85.  0 

g  

Original    Kleinwanzlebe- 

ner  (Holland) 

do 

.  do 

ilav    19 
....do  ... 

do  ... 

Sept.  27 
Oct.    14 

Sept.  28 
Oct.    15 

235 
1405 

4 
4 

7 

18 
13 
18 

16.2 
16.4 
19.2 

86.7 
84.7 
(*) 

17 

17.7 

85.8 

Kleinwanzlebener     Elite 
( 1 )  i  ppe  Brothers) 

..  do 

May   19 
....do  .. 

Oct.    14 

(Oct.     29 
\Oct.    30 

Oct.    15 
\ 

1408 

4 

■u 

16 

20 

17.3 
18.7 

84.6 

' 

20  1       1H.7 

*Not  included  in  averaging  the  purity  coefficients. 

tin   figuring  the  averages,  each  analysis  is  valued   in  proportion  to  the  weight   of  the  sample  it 
ate. 

Discussion  of  above  data. — No  further  discussion  of  the  analytical 
data  contained  in  the  above  table  is  necessary,  except  in  the  case  of 
the  samples  received  from  Wisconsin  and  ISTew  York.  These  samples 
were  exceptionally  fine.  By  an  unfortunate  misunderstanding  all  the 
beets  received  (rem  Wisconsin  were  reduced  to  pulp  for  the  purpose  of 
getting  an  average  sample  for  analysis.  The  selection  for  mother  beets 
was,  therefore,  confined  to  the  samples  from  Xew  York. 

WISCONSIN. 

Almost  uniformly  good  results  were  obtained  in  these  experiments. 
The  ( Original  Kleinwanzlebener  (Holland)  seed  produced  beets,  however, 
too  small  for  all  practical  purposes,  although  the  BQgar  content  and 
purity  were  high.  The  largest  beets  and  those  of  the  highest  purity 
were  produced  by  the  Vilmorin  La  Pins  Riche  seed.  The  Demesmay 
seed  which  were  used  were  only  the  commercial  article,  and  were  not 
grown  from  specially  analyzed  mothers.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore, 
to  see  that  they  produced  a  crop  which  was  the  poorest  of  all  in  sugar 

content. 

The  particular  analyses  of  the  most  importance  are  those  which 
were    made   on    the    beets   received    November    17,   and    harvested    on 

the  3d  of  November.  These  practically  represent  the  beets  at  their 
full  maturity,  as  it  is  not  probable  that  they  would  improve  in 
quality  in  the  climate  of  Madison  after  the  1st  of  November.  The 
analyses  also  represent  the  greatest  number  of  beets,  and  therefore 
are  the  most  reliable.  The  largest  number  of  beets  <>f  proper  size  and 
shape  were   produced  by  the   Vilmorin    La   Plus   Kiche  seed,  and   the 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN   THE    UNITED    STATES.  155 

smallest  by  the  Original  Kleinwanzlebener.  The  beets  grown  from  the 
Schuyler  seed  are  of  particular  interest  because  they  represent  the  link 
of  union  between  the  experiments  which  were  discontinued  by  the 
Department  in  1893  and  reinaugurated  in  1897.  The  average  size  of 
the  beets  produced  by  the  Schuyler  seed  is  somewhat  small,  but  the 
content  of  sugar  and  the  purity  are  satisfactory.  Upon  the  whole,  the 
effect  of  high-grade. seed  and  high  culture  are  most  distinctly  marked. 
It  is  only  necessary  to  compare  the  results  obtained  in  the  experiments 
with  these  high-grade  seeds  with  those  secured  in  the  State  at  large 
to  show  the  possibilities  of  beet  production  in  Wisconsin.  With  such 
data  before  the  investigator,  it  is  evident  that  he  must  be  convinced  of 
the  fact  that  it  is  possible,  with  proper  conditions  of  seed  and  culture, 
to  produce  a  grade  of  beets  of  the  highest  quality  in  Wisconsin. 

New  York. 

Most  satisfactory  results  were  obtained  from  the  experimental  work 
in  the  State  of  New  York  at  Geneva.  Two  sets  of  samples  were 
received  from  the  station,  representing  intervals  of  about  two  weeks 
in  harvesting,  the  first  set  of  samples  having  been  harvested  on  the 
27th  of  September  and  the  second  on  the  14th  of  October.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  a  marked  improvement  was  secured  by  postponing  the 
harvest  for  two  weeks,  showing  that  as  a  rule  it  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  the  season  for  manufacturing  in  New  York  should  begin  before 
the  middle  of  October.  The  above  table  includes  also  the  final  har- 
vest, which  was  made  much  later  in  the  season,  viz,  October  29-30, 
and  shows  even  a  greater  improvement.  The  beets  from  the  final  har- 
vest were  all  sent  to  Washington,  and  were  carefully  selected  for  seed 
production.  The  data  obtained  in  this  selection  are  given  as  the  third 
in  the  series  of  analyses.  The  samples  which  were  grown  at  the  New 
York  station  were  from  seeds  of  two  different  qualities:  First,  commer- 
cial seeds,  as  represented  by  the  Demesinay  White  Imperial  and  high- 
grade  commercial  Kleinwanzlebener;  and,  second,  seeds  grown  directly 
from  high-grade  mothers,  represented  by  the  Vilmorin  La  Plus  liiche, 
theVilmoriu  Improved  (Schuyler),  and  the  Original  Kleinwanzlebener. 
The  average  size  of  the  beets  selected  for  analysis  was  not  quite  20 
ounces;  the  sugar  content  in  most  cases  was.  high,  and  the  purity 
extremely  satisfactory.  After  leaving  the  beets  unharvested  until  the 
end  of  October  they  were  found  to  have  increased  their  content  of 
sugar  very  markedly,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  table  of  analyses  for  the 
selection  of  mothers.  The  encouraging  data  obtained  at  the  New  York 
station  suggests  that  if  the  Department  should  reestablish  its  experi- 
ment stations  for  the  production  of  high-grade  seeds  one  of  them 
should  be  placed  in  this  locality. 

In  the  analysis  of  the  beets  to  be  selected  as  mothers  lor  producing 
seeds  no  attempt  was  made  to  determine  the  coefficient  of  purity,  as 
the  amount  of  pulp  removed   was   only  sufficient  to  determine  the 


156  BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

percentage  of  sugar  directly  therein.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  the 
purity  coefficients  of  all  the  different  varieties  would  not  have  been 
diminished  by  perfect  maturity,  so  that  they  may  be  regarded  as  fully 
equal  to  the  average  in  each  case.  In  fact,  it  would  be  fair  to  assume 
that  the  averages  of  the  final  harvest  of  the  most  mature  beets  were 
slightly  above  those  taken  for  the  average  of  the  three  analytical 
periods  of  the  season.  In  the  discussion  of  the  data  obtained  by  the 
analysis  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  averages  in  all  cases  are  made 
upon  the  total  weight  of  the  material  entering  into  the  analysis.  Not 
only  is  this  true  of  each  individual  sample,  but  also  of  the  average 
analyses  of  the  samples.  It  is  evident  that  this  is  the  one  exact 
method  of  obtaining  average  results,  and  it  is  only  the  averages 
obtained  by  such  a  method  that  have  a  convincing  value. 

DATA   OF   EACH   VARIETY. 

The  White  Improved  Imperial  Elite,  grown  from  commercial  seeds 
gave  beets  of  fair  commercial  quality.  An  average  weight  of  18  ounces, 
with  a  content  of  L5.2  per  cent  of  sugar  in  the  beets  and  a  coefficient 
of  purity  of  81..'),  would  insure  a  large  yield  in  a  well-built  and  well- 
operated  factory.  From  the  complete  harvest,  17t  beets  were  found  of 
the  required  size,  shape,  and  sugar  content  to  warrant  saving  for  the 
production  of  seed.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  this  seed  would  he 
only  of  a  medium  grade  commercial  quality,  and  not  suited  to  the 
improvement  of  the  beet. 

Vilmorin  La  J'lns  h'iche. — This  plot  gave  excellent  results  throughout 
The  average  size  of  the  beets  was  the  largest  of  any  of  the  plots  grown. 
The  purity  coefficients  were  exceptionally  high,  and  the  sugar  contents 
most  satisfactory.  Two  hundred  and  seven  beets  grown  on  this  plot, 
having  an  average  weight  of  20  ounces  and  a-  mean  content  of  sugar  of 
18.3  per  cent,  were  selected  for  seed  production.  It  is  evident  that  the 
coefficient  of  purity  of  this  selection  must  have  been  at  least  86.  These 
mothers  will  therefore  produce  seeds  of  the  highest  quality,  which  can 
subsequently  be  planted,  growing  beets  for  the  production  of  seeds  of 
exceptional  properties. 

Vilmorin  Improved^  Schuyler  s<rd. — This  variety  is  chiefly  of  interest 
now  because  it  represents  the  continuation  of  the  work  in  seed  produc- 
tion which  was  discontinued  lour  years  ago.  The  seeds  evidently  have 
lost  iii  vitality  by  their  long  keeping,  and  the  product,  therefore,  is  not 
as  satisfactory  as  could  have  been  desired.     The  average  sugar  content 

is  not  exceptionally  high,  but  the  purity  i>  excellent.  The  beets  pro- 
duced from  these  seeds  in  another  year  will  doubtless  develop  some 
exceptionally  high-grade  mothers,  and  thus  the  strain  will  be  continued. 

This  plot  represents  the  sole  surviving  result  of  the  three  years' experi- 
ments ;it  Schuyler,  commenced  in  L890,  Thirty-two  beets,  with  an 
average  weight  of  is  ounces  and  an  average  con  ten  1  of  sugar  of  L5.7 

per    cent    were    out    aside    for    B6ed    production.     It   is   seen,   from    an 


BEET-SUGAR   INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  157 

inspection  of  the  table,  that  the  coefficient  of  purity  of  this  lot  was  87 
or  more.  It  therefore  represents  the  highest  grade  of  purity  of  any  of 
the  lots. 

Yilmorin  Improved. — This  is  a  commercial  seed,  used  for  planting 
around  the  central  plots,  and  has  produced  a  crop  of  only  fair  commer- 
cial value. 

Demesmay. — This  is  also  a  commercial  seed,  obtained  directly  from 
the  growers  in  the  north  of  France,  and,  as  will  be  seen  from  an  inspec- 
tion of  the  table,  produced  a  crop  of  excellent  commercial  value. 

Yilmorin  Improved  Ulite,  grown  by  Dippe  Brothers. — This  seed  repre- 
sents the  improvement  in  the  strain  of  the  Yilmorin  beet  when  cultivated 
according  to  the  highest  scientific  principles  in  Germany.  Sixty  four 
beets  grown  on  this  plot,  having  an  average  weight  of  19  ounces,  were 
selected  for  mothers.  The  mean  content  of  sugar  in  these  beets  was 
18.1.  It  is  evident,  also,  that  the  purity  was  at  least  80  per  cent.  This 
harvest,  therefore,  represents  a  very  high  grade  quality  of  mothers  for 
continuing  the  improvement. 

High  grade  Commercial  Kleinwanzlebencr. — This  variety  of  seed  rep- 
resents the  highest  grade  of  commercial  seeds  ottered  to  the  market. 
The  results  of  culture  show  that  the  tendency  of  this  seed  to  produce 
rich  beets  is  extremely  well  marked.  Two  hundred  and  twenty-four 
beets  grown  on  this  plot,  with  an  average  weight  of  18  ounces,  were 
selected  as  mothers.  The  mean  content  of  sugar  in  these  beets  was 
17.8  per  cent,  and  the  purity,  as  seen  by  the  table,  is  evidently  high. 
These  high-grade  commercial  seeds,  therefore,  produce  a  strain  of  beets 
almost  as  valuable  for  sugar  production  as  the  specially  high  grade 
seeds  from  analyzed  mothers. 

Original  Kleinwanzlebencr  (Holland.) — This  variety  of  seed  represents 
the  Kleinwanzlebencr  type  as  cultivated  to  the  highest  degree  in  Hol- 
land. The  tendency  in  that  country  seems  to  be  to  the  production  of 
a  beet  of  small  size  and  exceptionally  high  sugar  content.  Only  a  few 
of  these  high-grade  seeds  were  planted,  and  this,  together  with  their 
small  size,  accounts  for  the  fact  that  only  seven  were  selected.  The 
mean  weight  of  the  seven  was  18  ounces,  the  mean  content  of  sugar 
therein  L9.2,  and  the  coefficient  of  purity  evidently  86  or  over.  This 
variety  produced  the  highest  content  of  sugar  of  any  cultivated,  but  od 
account  of  the  small  size  is  less  to  be  recommended  for  genera]  culti- 
vation in  this  country  than  some  of  the  other  varieties. 

Kleimvanzlebener  Elite. — This  variety  represents  the  specially-selected 
seeds  grown  by  Dippe  Brothers,  at  Quedlinburg.  The  beets  grow  to  a 
fine  size,  are  of  good  shape,  and  have  excellent  qualities  to  recommend 
them  to  the  manufacturer.  Two  hundred  and  eleven  of  these  beets, 
having  an  average  weight  of  20  ounces,  were  selected  as  mothers.  The 
mean  content  of  sugar  in  these  beets  was  IS. 7  per  cent,  and  the  coeffi- 
cient of  purity,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  table,  good. 


i;>8 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


CLASSIFICATION   OF   THE    BEETS   OF   EACH   VARIETY. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  study  the  distribution  of  the  beets  of  each 
variety  according  to  sugar  content.     This  can  be  done  by  means  of  the 

following  table: 


Xumber  of  beets  having  contents  of 
sugar  from — 

Maximum 
polariza- 
tions of 
individual 
beets. 

Minimum 
polarisa- 

Variety. 

If)  to  16 
per  cent. 

16  to  17       17  to  18 
percent    percent. 

18  per 
cent  and 

above. 

tions  of 

individual 
beets. 

White  Improved  Imperial  Elite 

Vilmorin  La  Pins  lticlie 

Vilmorin  Improved,  Schuyler  Seed. . 

Demesmay 

Vilmorin    Improved    Elite    (Dippe 

65 

7 
4 
11 

1 

19 
0 
6 

20 
16 

8 
14 

4 

30 

1 

15 

23 
32 

5 
5 

5 

64 
9 

•Jt 

4 
94 

3 

40 

47 

107 
50 
165 

Per  cent. 
19.6 

IS.  8 
22.  U 

21.6 

22.0 
2-2.-2 
22.0 

J'cr  cent 
11.6 
13.4 

12.4 
9.6 

10.6 

High    Grade    Commercial    Klein- 

13.6 

Kleinwanzlebener  ( Holland) 

18.4 
14.6 

PRESERVATION   OF   THE    ."MOTHER   BEETS. 

The  spaces  in  the  beets  caused  by  the  removal  of  the  diagonal  core 
for  analysis  were  filled  with  cotton  saturated  with  formaldehyd.  The 
beets  thus  prepared  were  placed  in  silos,  where  they  will  remain  until 
March. 

GROWTH    OF    SEED    FROM    THE    .MOTHERS   ABOVE   DESCRIBED. 

Since  the  pollen  of  the  beet  is  easily  transported,  it  is  necessary  that 
each  variety  of  seed  be  grown  in  plots  entirely  removed  from  any  danger 
of  fertilization  from  other  localities.  In  order  to  secure  this,  one  of 
the  varieties  preserved  will  be  planted,  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr. 
William  Saunders,  superintendent  of  the  garden  and  grounds,  in  the 
Department  garden  at  Washington  and  arrangements  have  been  made 
with  the  following  experiment  stations  to  grow  one  variety  each  ol  the 
remaining  beets,  viz:  Maryland;  Ithaca  and  Geneva,  N.  V.:  Michigan, 
Wisconsin,  and  Iowa.  As  soon  as  practicable  in  the  spring  t  he  silos 
will  be  opened  and  the  beets  forwarded  to  the  stations  above  named 
(br  transplanting. 

The  beets  of  each  variety  of  different  degrees  of  strength  should  be 
planted  as  far  removed  as  possible  from  the  other  classes.  For  instance, 
the  beets  in  the  grade  of  20  per  cent  of  sugar  should  be  planted  far 
enough  from  Other  grades  of  the  same  variety  to  prevent  intermixing  of 
the  pollen.  In  this  way  the  strain  of  excellence  can  be  best  preserved. 
The  beets  which  have  been  saved  for  mothers  are  to  be  divided  into 
Cla88e8  representing  different  degrees  of  saccharine  strength,  and  each 

of  these  classes  planted   separately  to  produce  high  grade  seed  for 

fnt  arc  M 

NECE88m  OF  SEED  i»i  \  i  I  OPMENT. 

It  is  highly  important  for  the  rapid  and  safe  progress  ol'  the  beet- 

ir  industry  ill  this  country  that  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  pro- 
duction of  high  grade  Beeds.      We  have  in  the  I   nited  States  such  great 

differences  in  soils  and  climatic  conditions  as  to  render  it  evident  that 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES.  159 

a  single  station  for  the  production  of  seeds  would  not  be  sufficient. 
Beets  of  different  qualities  should  be  developed  in  different  localities. 
Tbe  character  of  beets  best  suited  to  the  fields  of  Xew  York  and  Wis- 
consin, for  instance,  would  not  be  the  ideal  plant  for  the  semiarid 
regions  of  Xebraska.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  evident  that  beets  grown 
in  an  arid  region,  as,  for  instance,  Chino  and  other  valleys  of  California, 
without  irrigation  and  with  scarcely  any  rainfall,  should  have  a  longer 
tap  root  than  those  grown  in  localities  where  rainfall  is  abundant  or 
irrigation  is  practiced.  It  seems  plain,  therefore,  that  three,  if  not 
four,  stations  should  be  established,  and  in  order  that  this  work  may  be 
conducted  under  uniform  methods  these  stations  should  be  established 
and  maintained  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

One  of  these  stations  should  be  located  in  an  area  of  average  rain- 
fall and  ordinary  meteorological  conditions  as  presented,  for  instance, 
by  the  States  of  New  York  and  Michigan. 

The  second  station  should  be  established  in  a  locality  where  a  defi- 
cient rainfall  is  to  be  expected,  and  where  the  vicissitudes  attending 
meteorological  changes  are  the  greatest,  as,  for  instance,  in  South 
Dakota  or  Nebraska. 

The  third  station  should  be  established  in  a  region  where  irrigation 
is  practiced,  as,  for  instance,  in  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  or  Utah. 

A  fourth  station  should  be  devoted  to  the  development  of  a  beet  best 
suited  to  arid  regions  where  irrigation  is  not  practiced,  as,  for  instance, 
in  the  coast  valleys  of  California. 

It  is  only  by  a  careful,  systematic,  and  scientific  development  of  beets 
suited  to  these  different  localities  that  we  can  expect  to  promote  in  the 
most  favorable  manner  the  development  of  the  beet  sugar  iudustry  in 
the  United  States.  It  is  evident  that  the  continuation  of  the  experi- 
ments which  have  been  conducted  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
for  so  many  years  in  the  analysis  of  beets  and  in  the  delimitation  of 
areas  suited  to  beet  culture  should  now  be  supplemented  by  a  more 
rigid  scientific  attempt  to  develop  beets  of  characteristics  best  suited 
to  the  four  typical  localities  which  have  been  specified  above.  The 
maintenance  of  a  small  experiment  station  entirely  competent  to  accom- 
plish this  work  in  each  of  the  localities  mentioned  would  not  require  a 
very  great  outlay  of  money  and  would  result  in  the  greatest  possible 
good  to  the  industry. 

STATISTICS   OF   AMERICAN   BEET-SUG-AR   PRODUCTION. 

The  information  contained  in  the  following  table  has  been  obtained 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  beet-sugar  factories: 

Statistics  of  the  production  of  beet  suyar  in  the  United  Slates  for  the  year  1897. 

Number  of  factories  in  operation 9 

Number  of  acres  of  beets  harvested 41,  -~'2 

Approximate  average  priee  paid  for  beets $4. 10 

Approximate  average  percent  of  sugar  in  the  beets 14.49 

Total  pounds  of  granulated  sugar  made..  .• BO,  080,  170 

Total  pounds  of  raw  sugar  made 431,200 

Granulated  sugar  obtained  per  cent  beets 11.56 

Raw  sugar  obtained  per  cent  beets 

Total  sugar  obtained  per  ton  (2,000  pounds)  of  beets pounds..  'S32.  4 


160 


BEET-SUGAR    INDUSTRY    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Statistics  of  individual  factor 

esfor  the  year 

1S97. 

Name  of  factory  and  location. 

Z 
m 

■— 
- 

Acres. 

4,808 

9,678 

700 

4,  282 

2,  H00 
1,029 
1.600 

3.  000 
10,  375 

•6 
S 

*x 

9 
> 

00 

S 
S 

pq 

5 
u 

a : 

— ■_ 

■-  = 
'u 

1,j 

=  ~  — 
»  >  ad 

_  -  — 

H 

•— 
o 

la 
f  8 

:  ~ 

s 

~* 

K 

-  & 

°  s 

.-:  r 

H  8 

it 

Alameda  Sugar  Co.,  Alvarado.  Cal 

Chino  Valley  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Chino.  Cal 

First  New  York  Beet  Sugar  Co..  Rome,  XV  — 
Oxnard  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Grand  Island,  .Nebr  ... 
Los  Alamitoa  Sugar  C<>:,  Los  Alaimtos,  Cal   — 

Norfolk  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Norfolk,  Nebr 

Pecos  Valley  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Eddy,  N.  Mex  — 

Utah  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Lehi,  Utah.. 

Western  Beet  Sugar  Co.,  Watson ville,  Cal 

Ton*. 

48, 773 
97,  197 

4,  325 
38,  607 
20.  542 
30,  113 

5,  7(i0 

110, 878 

$4.00 
(a) 
5.00 
(d) 
4.16 
(d) 
4.00 
4.25 
4.00 

Days. 

90 

151 

45 

(d) 

105 
(d) 
38 
56 
104 

Per  c<. 
14.  2d 
15.10 
(6) 

12.  90 
15.73 
13.60 
14.  00 
13.20 
15.00 

Pound*. 

10, 198,  648 

24,  3u;{,  122 

c 765, 700 

6.  798.  300 

6.  OlT.i'OO 

7.941.400 

1 .  020.  000 

3,  670,  600 

776,  000 

Total      

41,272    380,635 

90,491,670 

I  per  ton  for  12  per  cent  beets,  and  25  cents  per  ton  for  each  per  cent  above  12.  The  Chino  fac- 
tory employed  a  saecharate  process. 

//Red  beets, 5J  to  12  per  cent  sugar;  white  beets.  13  to  17  per  ceut  sugar.  Average  analysis  not 
reported. 

<•  131,200  pounds  raw  sugar  arc  included. 

t/Xot  reported. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  BEET-SUGAE  STATISTICS  FOR  1897. 

The  past  season  was  not  very  favorable  to  the  production  of  beets  in 
several  localities  in  California  and  in  New  .Mexico  and  Utah.  Insntli 
cient  rain  in  California  at  the  time  of  planting  resulted  in  a  sinallei 
acreage  being  planted  to  beets  and  in  a  small  yield  of  roots  per  acre. 
The  great  shortage  in  the  crop  reduced  the  quantity  of  sugar  produced 
in  California  below  that  of  the  previous  year,  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  the  new  factory  at  Los  Alamitos  was  operated  and  that  at  Chino 
increased  its  output. 

The  first  New  York  beet-sugar  factory  was  somewhat  unfortunate  in 
the  varieties  of  beets  selected.  The  red  beets  contained  very  little 
sugar,  and  undoubtedly  decreased  the  output  below  what  it  should  have 
been  under  favorable  conditions.  The  white  beets  were  of  sat  isfactory 
sugar  content.  As  maybe  noted  by  an  examination  of  this  report  of 
the  experiments  made  in  the  State  of  New  York  during  the  pasl  sea- 
son, thai  State  is  capable  of  producing  beets  of  very  great  richness. 

The  shortage  in  the  output  of  sugar  is  to  some  extent  due  to  a 
decreased  acreage  at  Lehi.  Utah,  and  al  Watsonville,  Cal.,  these  two 
factories  having  a  larger  crop  in  L896  than  they  could  work  to  ad  van- 
In  1896  the  factory  at  Watsonville  produced  nearly  20,000  short 
ton-  .)!  sugar  from  approximately  1.50,000  tons  of  beets,  mid  the  past 
year  14,888  shoii  tons  from  1 10,878  tons  of  beets.  The  total  produc- 
tion for  the  country  shows  an  increase  of  approximately  5,000  tons  in 

1S!>7  over  thai  of  1896.     The  increase  in   the  output  of  sugar  next  sea 

son.  should  moie  favorable  conditions  prevail  in  California,  will  be  very 
e,  siuoe  eight   new   factories,  having  a  daily  capacity  of  approxi- 
mately 6,700  tons  of  beets,  will  be  in  operation. 

The  output  is  reported  in  the  tables  in  pounds  of  granulated  sugar, 
since  but  one  factory  marketed  raw  sugar.  The  quantity  ol  raw  sugar 
produced  does  not  materially  modify  the  statistics  of  the  production. 


index; 


A. 

Page. 

Agricultural  surveys,  importance 21 

plans  proposed 21 

Analyses  of  sugar  beets,  cautions  regarding  study 41 

Arid  regions,  meteorological  conditions 35 

Arizona,  analyses  of  beets 43 

discussion  of  data 56 

experiment  station  report 56 

Arkansas,  analyses  of  beets 43 

discussion  of  data 60 

B. 

Beet  pulps.     (See  Sugar-beet  pulps.) 

seed,  source  and  quality 117 

sugar  industry,  conditions  to  be  considered 23 

statistics 160 

zone 25 

Beets.     (See  Sugar  beets.) 

Bibliography  of  Department  publications  relative  to  beet  sugar 12 

Bloomfield,  L.  M.,  report 102 

('. 

California,  analyses  of  beets 43 

discussion  of  data 60 

Cattle  food,  use  of  sugar  beets 128 

Climatology 21 

Colorado,  analyses  of  beets 43 

discussion  of  data 61 

experiment  station  report 63 

Connecticut,  meteorological  conditions 29 

Cossettes,  exhausted.     (See  Sugar-beet  pulps.) 

Curtiss,  C.  F.,  report 72 

1). 

Data  obtained  in  the  Department  of  Agriculture 40 

Delaware,  meteorological  conditions  28 

i:. 

Experimental  work,  comments,  in  early  bulletins  of  Division  of  Chemistry 17 

Experiments  in  1897,  correspondence  16 

plan _ 17 

feeding  beet  pulps 131 

161 


162  INDEX. 

F. 

Page. 

Forbes,  R.  II..  report 56 

Fulmer,  Elton,  report 116 

G. 

Goetz.  A.  s..  letter  relative  to  beet  pulps 130 

H. 

Beadden,  W.  P..  report 63 

Huston,  II.  A.,  report 70 

I." 

Idaho,  analyses  of  beets 44 

discussion  of  data ill 

experiment  station  report 65 

Illinois,  analyses  of  beets 44 

data  from  the  experiment  station  68 

discussion  of  data 68 

meteorological  conditions 32 

summary  of  analyses (58 

Indiana,  analyses  of  beets 11 

beets  for  seed  production 146 

discussion  of  data  69 

experiment  station  report 70 

meteorological  conditions .'-I' 

Iowa,  analyses  of  beets 45 

beets  for  «eed  production 1 10 

discussion  of  data 72 

meteorological  conditions 33 

Isothermal  lines 21 

.1. 

Jordan,  \V.  II.,  report ;»l 

K. 

Kansas,  analyses  <>i  beets 46 

discussion  of  data 71 

summary  of  analyses  by  t  ho  experiment  stat  ion 75 

Kentucky,  analyses  of  beets. 48 

beets  for  seed  production 1 15 

discussion  of  data 76 

a 

M. 

Map  of  t  lie  thermal    Kelt,  discussion 23,24 

Maryland,  analyses  of  beets W 

discussion  of  data 77 

eastern  shore,  meteorological  conditions 27 

ichusetts,  meteorological  conditions 29 

Meteorological  conditions 27 

Miohigan,  analyses  of  beets -16 

disCUSSion  of  data 78 

meteorological  conditions >52 

resum<  of  the  experiment  station  report 78 


INDEX.  163 

Page. 

Minnesota,  analyses  of  beets 47 

discussion  of  data 81 

meteorological  conditions 33 

report  of  the  experiment  station 82 

summary  of  data  from  the  experiment  station 82 

Missouri,  analyses  of  beets 47 

discussion  of  data 83 

summary  of  data  from  the  experiment  station 84 

Model  for  describing  sugar  beets 38 

Montana,  analyses  of  beets 49 

discussion  of  data 85 

summary  of  data  from  the  experiment  station 85 

N. 

Nebraska,  analyses  of  beets 49 

discussion  of  data 86 

meteorological  conditions 35 

report  of  the  experiment  station 86 

Nevada,  analyses  of  beets 50 

discussion  of  data 87 

report  of  the  experiment  station 88 

New  Hampshire,  meteorological  conditions 29 

New  Jersey,  analyses  of  beets. 50 

discussion  of  data 88 

experiments  in  Monmouth  County 89 

meteorological  conditions 28 

New  Mexico,  discussion  of  data 90 

report  of  the  experiment  station 90 

New  York,  analyses  of  beets 50 

discussion  of  data 93 

meteorological  conditions 30 

orography 98 

regions  suited  to  beet  culture 98 

report  of  the  Cornell  University  experiment  station 96 

report  of  the  State  experiment  station 94 

re'sumc'  of  analytical  data 94 

North  Carolina,  analyses  of  beets 51 

discussion  of  data 99 

meteorological  conditions ..'. 27 

North  Dakota,  analyses  of  beets 51 

discussion  of  data 99 

meteorological  conditions 34 

O. 

Ohio,  analyses  of  beets 51 

discussion  of  data 100 

meteorological  conditions 31 

report  of  the  experiment  station 102 

summary  of  analyses 100 

by  the  experiment  station 101 

Oklahoma,  analyses  of  beets 52 

discussion  of  data 103 

report  of  the  experiment  station 103 

Oregon,  report  of  tho  experiment  station L04 


164  INDEX. 

P. 

Tage. 

Pennsylvania,  analyses  of  beets 52 

discussion  of  data 108 

meteorological  conditions 31 

summary  of  analyses 108 

Pulps.     {See  Sugar-beet  pulps.) 

R. 

Rainfall,  annual 25 

table  of  averages 25 

Kbode  Island,  analyses  of  beets 52 

discussion  of  data 110 

Roberts,  I.  P.,  report 96" 

8. 

Seed  development 158 

growth  from  selected  seed 158 

production,  investigations Ill 

plan  of  experiments 141 

stations,  location 159 

Seiby,  A.  I).,  report 102 

Shaw,  G.  W.,  report 104 

Sbepard,  .J.  II.,  abstracts  from  report Ill 

South  Carolina,  analyses  of  beets 52 

discussion  of  data 110 

South  Dakota,  analyses  of  beets 5:5 

discussion  of  data IK1 

meteorological  conditions :>1 

summary  of  analyses Ill 

8ta1  istics  of  beet-sugar  production bi<> 

Sugar-beet  belt,  as  mapped  by  Dr.  Antisell Il* 

pulps,  analyses 131 

before  and  after  siloing I-":; 

composition 129 

and  feeding  tests 130 

feeding  experiments  in  New  Mexico 130 

USe  lor  cattle  food 11".1 

beets  as  cattle  food 12> 

compared  with  ol her  root  orops 12!» 

cant  ions  in  using  the  analytical  data 1 1 

cost  of  cult  i  vat  ion  in  Wisconsin L28 

directions  for  taking  samples :;7 

topping 38 

from  high-grade  seed,  analyses  by  the  Department .. . L50 

discussion  of  data 151.  156 

influence  of  temperature  on  t  he  quality 125 

summary  of  analyses 135 

susceptibility  to  climatic  conditions 21 

t:ii» lc  of  analyses  by  the  Department 18 

yield  in  Wisconsin  123 

T. 

Tennessee,  analyses  of  beets 5:; 

beets  for  seed  production     ill 

analysis  ol  beets 58 


INDEX.  165 

Page. 

Texas,  discussion  of  data 112 

report  of  the  experiment  station 113 

Thermal  belt 23 

U. 

Utah,  analyses  of  beets 53 

V. 

Vermont,  analyses  of  beets 53 

discussion  of  data 124 

meteorological  conditions 29 

report  of  the  experiment  station 125 

Virginia,  analyses  of  beets 53 

discussion  of  data 114 

repo.t  of  the  experiment  station 114 

Vredenburgh,  James  B.,  experiments 89 

W. 

Washington,  analyses  of  beets 54 

discussion  of  data 115 

report  of  the  experiment  station 116 

AVest  Virginia,  analyses  of  beets 54 

meteorological  conditions 27 

Wisconsin,  analyses  of  beets 54 

beets  for  seed  production 146 

cost  of  cultivation 123 

discussion  of  data 119 

experiments  at  substations 122 

with  high-grade  seed 148 

influence  of  the  Menominee  Falls  failure 128 

investigations  by  the  experiment  station 119 

meteorological  conditions 32 

table  of  analytical  data 120 

yield  of  beets _; 123 

Woll,  F.  W.,  report 120 

Wyoming,  analyses  of  beets 55 

discussion  of  data 123 

o 


